The first settlers of Virginia : an historical novel, exhibiting a view of the rise and progress of the colony at James Town, a picture of Indian manners, the countenance of the country, and its natural productions

UNIVERSITY or PITTSBURGH

Dar.

D26F5

Darlington Alemorial Ldbrary

Focahon tas ran with niownfiil distraction to th^ block.

THE

FIRST SETTLERS

OF

VIRGINIA,

AN HISTORICAL NOVEL,

INHIBITING A VIEW OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS
or THE COIONY

AT JAMES TOWN,

A PICTURE OF INDIAN MANNERS, THE COUNTENANCE

OF THE COUNTRY, AND ITS NATURAL

PRODUCTIONS.

The second Edition considerahly enlarged.

NEW-YORK:
PRINTED FOR I. RILEY AND CO.

NO. 1 CITY-HOTEL, BROAD-WAY.

1806.

A. r

District of'.
Nexv-Yor' ^ ^^^

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on
the nineteenth day of September, in the
thirtieth Year of the Independence of
the United States of America, Isaac
Riley, of the said District, hath depo-
sited in this office, the title of a Book, the right wliereof he
claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit ;

" The First Settlers ofVirginia,an Historical Noxel,ex}iibit-
" ing a View of the Rise and Progress of the Colony at James'
" Town. A Picture of Indian Manners ; the Countenances
*' of the C&untry, and its natural Productions."

THE SECOND EDITION CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED.

In Conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United
States, entitled, " An Act for the encouragement of Learning,
" by securing tiie Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the
•' Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the time
*' tiierein mentioned ; and extending the benefits thereof to
"the Arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and
" other paintings."

EDWARD DUNSCOMB,

Clerk of the District of NexV'Tork*

Printed , by Soutladck 4" Hurdcastlc,
No 2, IVaU-slreet, New-York.

TO

E. JENNER, M. D.
OF BERKELEY,

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, m
OLD ENGLAND,

T-his Volume is inscribed
With perfect respect,
By his affectionate.
Humble Servant,
THE AUTHOR.
NeW'Tork, January, 1806.

EXTRACTS

From the British Reviews and American
Publications respectijig Pokahontas and
its Author.

Unus deus, una Veritas.
EDINBURGH REVIEW.

" WE never met with any tiling naore abominably stupid
" than this romantic: legend about the Princess Pokahontas,
•' daughter of the Emperor Powhatan, who fell in love with
** Captain Smith, soon after the first colonization of Virginia.
" All that we can understand of the story is this : Capt. Smith
" runs away from Pokahontas ; and she, after weeping some
" time for the fugitive hero, marries the living one a Captain
*' Rolfe, and comes over to England with him, where she lives

** at Brentford, and dies at Gravesend Mr. Davis is a peda-

*' gogue, who would be a wit and a fine gentleman. His style
" is made up of pedantry, vulgarity, affectation and conceit."

Article written by a young Virginian gentleman studying at
Edinburgh.

MONTHLY REVIEW.

" The adventures of Capt. Smith, who was the founder of
" the first colony on the Chesapeak, possess superior interest ;
" the history of his captivity and of the love of Pokahontas, is
'* sufficient to give reputation to the writer."

CRITICAL REVIEW.

*' We have not read without emotion the affecting story of
" the tender Pokahontas. Ifwriters were tb be discriminated
" by their resemblance to painters, Mr. Davis might be called
** theTenlers of Narrative. He paints from life, and to every
" character exhibited, the heart secretly acknowledges, " That
** is a likeness." His language and manner are equally pet-
" spicuous and interesting."

ANNUAL REVIEW.

** For the interesting tale of Pokahontas we must refer tb«
" reader to the volume itself. Mr. Davis possesses the eye that
** caa see nature, and the heart that can feci nature. We be*

A3

VI

" hold with pleasure his delineation of natural objects. Hi9
" scenes are evidently sketched from observation. Those little
*' traits which the painter or poet would have seized, he has
" seldom overlooked ; he tells U3 of the long and beautiful
" moss, which, spreading from the branches of one tree to
" those of another, extends through whole forests. The author
" obviously possesses a quick and observant eye, and those ever
** wakeful talents that could enliven any science.

** Mr. Davis has given us the memoirs of his own life. The
" vanity of self-biography never fails to excite the sarcasm and
" contempt of those, who themselves indulge a far less pardon-
*' able vanity ; who, being by nature inferior, counteract the
'' painful consciousness of inferiority, by looking in every man,
" and every author for his faults ; nor is this author's account
" of himself such as will conciliate the favour of the world.
" Possessed of genius, and conscious of the possession, Mr.
''' Davis is guilty of every thing that can provoke envy, hatred,
" malice and uncharitableness."

Page 54. Article written by Athur Aikin.

BRITISH CPvITIC.

*' This writer is lively, entertaining, and often interest-
"ing."

From Dr. yenner^ Discoverer of the Vaccine Inocu-
lation^ to y, Davis,
" Dear Sir,
" You do me honour in requesting permission to inscrilx' to
" me your Indian Tale. I am sorry that I am not likely to
•' be favoured with an interview before your departure for Am e-
" rica. Much is due from me to many gentlemen on the con-
" tinent, particularly my friend Dr Waterhouse, to whom I
" hope you will be introduced ; indeed I think it probable that
"this letter without any thing further would obtain that end, as
♦* the doctor is a gentleman of liberal mind, and you will find
" in him the man of science and tlie piiilanthropist. He
" was the first who took up my system of inoculation in
" America, aiid has toiled hard in this new field. I write
" in haste. Pray tell me as nearly as ydu can, the time of your
" sailing, and from what port? Shall 1 consign my packet to-
" you in London, or where ?

" Your obedient,
" And very faithful,
" Humble servant,

" E. JENNER.
« Cheltenham, 26th AuguU, 1804."

Vll

"Dear Sir, ' . «{ >

" I tJiank you for your last obliging letter, but am sorry tci'
" tell you it has not been in my power since to make up the in-
" tended dispatch for my friend Doctor Waterhouse. I'his I
*• hope will reach you time enougli to request you to present
" my best regards to the Doctor, and to tell him that 1 liope he
" has seen my public advertisement in some of the continental
" papers, otherwise he must be astonished at my long silence,
" The fact is that ray correspondence on the Vaccine subject
" became soburthensome and oppresive, that I felt necessitated
*' to request my friends not to be offended at my seeming ncg-
*' lect of their letters. Accept my best wishes for a pleasant
'* voyage, and for your general welfare.

" Your very faithful servant,

" E. JENNER.
" Cheltenham, 19th September, 1804.
'* 1 write in very great haste.''

Billet from the President of the United States,

" Th : Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Davis, and
" his thanks for the book he sent him. He has subscribed with
*' pleasure to his Indian Tale.*

"Washington. March 8 1805."

Billet from Doctor Barton,

" Doctor Barton feeling an interest in Mr. Davis's under-
" taking, will be truly happy to furnish him with any works in
•' his possession relative to the Indian History of North Ame-
" rica.

" Piiiladelphia, May 4, 1805."

* It having been asserted with most diabolical malice by the
Editor of the Evening Post at New-York (hie niger est, "hunc
tu Romane caveto) that 1 have forged these or some other let-
ters ; the originals of these, and all other letters I ever published
may be seen by any person wiiose scepticism may have been
raised by the base calumniator that has thus endeavoured to
blast my character. Mr. Dennie has not only seen my originals,
but he has now in his hands a letter to me from his Grace the
Duke of Bedford; allowing me to dedicate CJiatterton to him.

Till

Ffom Professor Glrardtn of William and Mary College^

" We ail here rejoice at the appearance of our interesting
" Indian Princess. You are a magician. Your wand possesses
** the power of animating even my heart.

"Williamsburgli, July 11, 1805." ^

Fori Folio.

•' Whatever may be the prejudices of some, or the catils of
*> others, Mr. Davis has certainly caught the spirit of the best
•* English writers."

By Mr. Denni«.

Philadelphia Monthly Magazine.

" Those who have not had an opportunity of judging of \fr.
**• Davis's abilities by the perusal of his former productions, wil]
*' feel great attractions to the present work in the nature of the
•' subject, which is purely American, and which relates to two
" of the most interesting personages in early American His-
" tory.

•'C. B. Brown.*

m^y^oq fcfl^PX PROFESSOR GIRABDIN, ,...n<li ns-bnl '^

■ - •■)Tiv"."rc *?f^' **

J AMES TOWN is situated in a small peuinsiila on the north
side of James river, about eight miles S. S. W. of Williams-
burg ; and it claims our interest as the cradle of the now pow-
erful, flourishing and populous slate of Virginia.

When the Europeans tirst landed on the unkiwwn shores of
America, many circumstances iundered them from selecting for
tfifelr infant settlements the most advantageous scites. The
country was covered with lofty and almost impenetrable fo-
rests'; deep and extensive morasses arrested their steps. The
hungry lords of the silvan shades, the still more formidable In-
dians, together with the necessity of holding with the mother
country an easy and frequent intercourse, compelled them to fix
on sonie secure situation near the sea coast, or along the banis
of navigable rivers. In process of lime, enterprize and industry,
overcame every difficulty, every terror. The soil, tlie wtlcl,
beasts, the tierce natives themselves, yielded to the superior
energies of civilized man. Neat mansions rose wlvere rude
Indian huts had stood; the fertilizing plough-share siicceeded
the murderous tornahawk, and rich, cultivated fields smiled
where a rank'vegetation had spread for ages its wild luxuri-
ancy. It was then that the new and more favourable situations
were chosen for building towns, and the original settlements
partly or totally abandoned. Hence the wonder of European
travellers must cease, when, in their progress through the
American states, they find in places comparatively young and
recent, mournful images of decrepitude and antiquity : and
the silence of gloomy depopulation, where they had, perhaps,
expected the gay bustle of an active, emulous crowd.

Othrr causes too, seem to have contributed to the removal
of govcrment from James Town, and lo its subsequent solitude.
Nicholson aspired to tlie glory of founding a city. Utterly
devoted ta VVilliam III. he named it Williamsburg in honour
of that monarch ; and his ingenious flattery paid to the same
prince a singular homage in tracing the streets, which now
run parallel, in the form of a W.*

f In the view now offered to the public, James Town is
represented as seen from a point on the bank of a river, in the

* The seat of government was removed in the time of Ni-
cholson from James Town to Middle-Plantation, now Williams-
burg.

+ A coloured \iew accompanies the original.

S* S. W. part of the peninsula. The venerable ruins 'of ae
old church steeple, from the top of which serpentine garlands
of smilax, ivy, and other climbing and saxatile plants, hang
in irregular festoons ; the beautiful contrasting groups of trees
and shrubs which partly encircle it, and among which the
sycamore and the tulip tree or poplar hold a conspicuous rank ;
the sepulchral monuments beneath their shade ; the houses in
the back ground, which seem to peep through the interposing
curtain of verdure, and one of which has been fantastically
ornamented by nature with a mantle of climbing trumpet
flower; the domestic birds wandering here and there, and
seeking the support of sensitive life amid the very trophies of
death, unconscious of the sacredness of the spot ; the various,
birds sailing through the air, unmolested by the hostility of
man; the swift barks silently gliding along the lonely shore ;
and other prominent objects, which it is needless to indicate,
form an ensemble highly harmonic and picturesque.

It was imposssble to embrace in a quarto view the southern
bank of the river ; its abrupt cliffs, and elevated promontories,
capped with Ike sombre verdure of coniferous pine and cedar
trees; the ijeautiful amphitheatre behind, presenting to the
delighted eye neat villas, smiling fields, romantic copses and
groves; and terminating, on that side, by a range of bold
"woody hills, a sublime, enchanting horizon. The almost
unlimited prospect of the noble stream gradually widening,
and evolving with tranquil majesty its cerulean waters, over
which the western sun shed, whilst we contemplated the scene,
golden tints of the richest hue, v?as found above the powers
either of imitation or description.

As monuments of art, and when compared with those superb
fragments of a bold and majestic architecture which Egypt,
Syria, Greece, Italy and other regions of the Eastern hemis-
phere, present to admiring travellers, the ruins of James Town
are humble and inconsiderable; nor whilst exploring its shores
do we tread on " Classic Ground." Yet, the emotions which
the aspect of those rude national vestiges conveys to the soul,
are powerfully enthusiastic, rapturously melancholy — Her«
nothing foreign or indifferent. The retrospect is not suffi-
ciently remote to fatigne and obscure " the mind's eye ;" and
the distance of depopulation is too small to preclude the con-
tact of sensibility. Here, no artificial impressions. The amor
patrias, the memory, the imagination, act in concert with irre-
sistible force. VVe feel, we recollect, we indulge, by turns
the sorrows and the pleasures of the fancy not only as men, but
as citizens. Every surrounding ruin is transformed into an ac-
quaintance, a friend in distress, with whon) we sympathise,

., XI

an* hold mournful converse. Under such feelings, (and
such feelings are necessarily excited) the scenery becomes truly
interesting, truly pathetic.

The contrast between the ravages of time and the fecundity
of nature is here peculiarly striking. Where the one destroys
the other creates. Love nestles, life teems, among those des-
olate fragments. iSeveral families of the feathered race inhabit
the grey clefts of the mouldering steeple; from those clefts and
from the fissures in some of the ruinous tomb stones i?sue vari-
:ous shrubs, grasses and creeping plants, wiiich sliade or embrace
their mossy surfaces, spreading a thick veil over the inscriptions
traced by the pious hand of affectionate sorrow. This, how-
tever, is not the case with all tlie sepulchral monuments in the
lugubrious group. Some, containing the ashes of the ancestors
and friends of neighbouring families, are religiously protected

against the injuries of time, and any rude violation. Would

not a total inclosure of so sacred a spot at the national expence

be highly commendable? " There are no monuments," says St.

Pierre, ** more interesting than the tombs of men, especially

iV those of our kindred. It is worthy of remark that all savage,

■^*.and even most civilized nations have made the tombs of their

, f* ancestors the centre of their worship, and an essential part of

.,*' their religion. This pious melancholy prevails every where.

;?* In China, the tombs of ancestors constitute one of the prin-

j?* cipal ornaments of the suburbs of towns, and of the hills in

!** the country. Among savage nations they form the strongest

" link in the social chain. When at any period, the Europeans

** have proposed to the latter to quit their native tenitory, they

*' have uniformly answered, " shall we say to the bones of our

" forefathers, arise and follow us into a foreign land ?" '^lo

" them that objection has always appeared insurmountable. —

** Our voluptuaries who, sometimes, return to natural sentiments,

."*' have fictitious tombs erected in their gardens. A tomb is a

)?**' monument placed on the limits of both worlds."

If thus consecrated by the national veneration, if adorned,
too, with a suitable monument to the memory of the most con-
'Spicuousand deserving among the fathers of Virginia, we knovr
enough of the human heart to assert that the cemetry at
James Town, so impressive even in its present state, could not
be viewed without exciting emotions of a patriotic, exalted,
and virtuous tendency !

Under the influence of the sentiments which tve have so
faintly described, we could not, whilst exploring the desolate
beach, forbear affixing to a tree which overhangs the river, the
Collowing humble ioscriprioo.

Xll

Primis Virginias Colonis,

Prsecipue

JOANNI SMITH;

qui oppidum hoc,

Parvum magnse posteagentisrudimenlum,

(Eheu ! nunc situ et minis horrens I)

A. D. MDCVil condidere,

Paulatim auxere Et Coloniam

Fame, morbo, barbaroium furore, pene opprcEsam,

Consilio, virtute Perseverantia,

Restiluere, florentem postt'ris tradidere.;

Arbos ista, dum vivet,

ESTO SACRA!
(Die August! xxv. A. D. MDCCCIV.)

EPITAPH FOR POKAHONTAS.

BY J. DAVIS.

Here Pokalionlas sleeps, wliose form did grace
Powhatan's banks ; may roses shade tlie place.

POKAHONTAS.

I

N consulting the annals of the world for a
character, who, while he gives incitement by
his renown, may afford instruction by his ex-
ample, I know none more deserving of cele-
bration than that of Capt. Smith; and if, in
tracing the progress of the colony he settled
on James River, there be superadded the
adventures he was involved in, history, with-
out losing its dignity, will acquire new at-
tractions.

The Merchants of London having obtain-
ed a patent from James I. to encourage dis-
coveries in Virginia, they fitted out three
vessels, and appointed John Smith to com-
mand the expedition : a man who had dis-
tinguished himself from his earliest youth in
the profession of arms: for he had not only
been in several naval engagements, but had
headed a forlorn hope in nn attack upon
Olimpach, and slain three Turks in single
combat, at the siege of Regal.

B

14

The little squadron placed under the com*
mand of this distinguished captain, was com.
posed of one vessel of a hundred tons, ano-
ther of forty, and one of twenty ; and it was
in the midst of winter, when, clearing the
English channel, they committed themselves
to the mercy of the Atlantic ocean. Many
sighed and wept, believing they should never
beheld their country again ; and all cast a
longing, lingering look behind at the shore,
"which soon became too small for sight.

The first week the squadron went prospe-
rously forward j but soon after the wind came
a-head, and for six days blew violently from
the west, producing a sea that ran moun-
tains high, and ever and anon assailed furi-
ously the tall bark, which, unable, from its
heavy cargo to rise on the element, had to
contend with every wave. At length the
gale attained to such force that nearly all
gave themselves up for lost ; and n.Hhing was
heard but lamentation, mourning, and woe.
In a word, it was in such a gale that C' limi-
bus threw overboard the notices of his dis-
coveries, and Diaz relinquished his enter-
prize of doubling the Promontory of Tem-
<l)ests.

15

The approach of the vessels to their desti-
ned coast was announced not only hy the apr
pearance of several birds that liovered round
them, but by spots of green and yellow weeds*
on the surface of the water, which seemed to
iiave been washed from some rock, or cliff.
They, llierefore concluded that they were nt)t
far from land, and Capt. Smith was shortly-
after confirmed in this opinion by a small lo-
cust or grasshopper, alive upon the weeds.

At the next dawn of day three little land-
birds visited Capt. Smith's ship, and after wel-
coming him with a song, flew away in a west-
ern direction : more grasshoppers appeared on
the weeds, and a water-wag-tail was seen pur-
suing a large flock of gulls. But tokens yet
more manifest were a cane, a staff and the
branch of a thorn with the berries upon it.
They took up a staff that was ingeniously
however rudely carved , and about night fall,
what confirmed them in the certainty that
land was pretty nigh, they brought up sand
with their soundings. The ^essels of the
squadron were now laid too, and about ten at
night, Capt. Smith saw a light, and privately
calling to him John Rolfe, a young officer
whom he greatly esteemed, bade him look at

16

it ; he answered that he saw it. Then they
called Thomas 'Hunt, chaplain to the colony,
who could not see it ; but a little afterwards a
boy named Walter Lewis called out that he
saw a light, and it looked like a candle carried
to and fro. At four o'clock sail was made on
the squadron, and, when the day began to
break, the little brig, which was a-head,
made signs of land, which soon rose like a
new creation from the sea, in presence of all.

It was on the ^6th of April, 1606, that
the little squadron under the direction of
Capf . Smith, came within sight of the x\meri-
can ccast, and it had by accident got into the
mouth of that bay, which is now so well known
by the name of Chesapeake.

This bay is the largest in the world. The
distance between its capes is about twelve
miles, but it widens, when entered, till it be-
comes thirty miles in breadth, when it dimi-
nishes again to its head, and is from eighteen
to seven miles broad. It is five miles broad
at its extremity, where the Elk and Susque-
hannah fall into it ; and here its length from
the sea is two hundred and seventy miles,
through the whole of which extent the tide
ebbs and flows.

17

This mighty bay receives tiie streams of
six large rivers from the west, all of which ar«
navigable, and have their soarce in the same
mountains.

Of these the southernmost is James river,
called Powhatan by the natives; the next
York river, named by the Indians Pamun-
key; the third the Rappahannock, which
preserves its original title j the fourth, the Po-
tomac, distinguished by its irruption through^
the Blue Ridge; the fifth, the Patuxent, re-
markable for its red clifls ; the sixth the Pat-
apsco, called by its discoverer the Bolus j and
the seventh, the Susquehannah, the northern
most of all, and the most serpentine in its
course.

Of these noble rivers several flow through,
countries of vast extent, receiving in their
course a variety of tributary streams, and wa-
tering a soil distinguished by features peculi-
arly beautiful and sublime.

The land which Capt. Smith had come
with in sight of, was uncommonly low. It
appeared at a distance like the. tops of trees
emerging above the water; and as thesquad»
ron approached the coast, there was not the
smallest acclivity visible; the prospect never.

18

rising above the height of the pines which
everlastingly covered the soil.

Of the promontories of the bay, Capt.
Smith named the southernmost Cape Henry,
and the northernmost Cape Charles, in com-
pliment to the sons of his reigning monarch;
and, though the vessels dropt frequently their
anchors, yet sixteen days were spent in seek-
ing a proper place for their first settlement.

The shores v/ere now lined with the natives,
who srazed with ineffable astonishment at the
squadron under sail, and prostrated them-
selves at the thunder of their cannon. Their
wonder may be conceived at the sight of a
ship. They were scared out of their wits to
see the monster come sailing into their har-
bour, and spitting fjre with a mighty noise out
of her floating side.

Capt. Smith went on shore in his boat and
•was kindly received by the natives, who in-
vited him. and his companions to their town
Kecoughtan, where Hampton is now built,
it was situated at the head of a spacious bay,
which ran up north from the mouth of P w-
hatan river, and is now so popular under the
name of Hampton roads. Here they were
feasted with cakes made cf Indian corn, an4
legaled with tobacco cuid a dance.

ID

Proceeding up the river, another company
of Indians appeared in arms ; and tlieir chief,
Apamatica, holding in one hand his bow and
arrow, and in the other a pipe of tobacco, de-
manded the cause of their cominor ; thej
made signs of peace, and were hospitably re-
ceived.

Having searched the wh )Ie of the river
Powhatan, captain Smith, on the 13th of
Mav, with the unanimous consent of the co-
lonists, made choice of a peninsula where the
ships could lie moored to the trees, as the
place of their intended settlement Here
they were visited by Pasipha, anotlier Indian
chief, who being made acquainted with their
design, oilered them as much land as they
wanted. On this spot the colonists built their
huts, and Capt. Smith threw up a small fort,
in the form of a half-moon, which he barrica-
ded with trunks of trees. To their settlement
they very consistently gave the name of
James Town, and, in the same spirit of com-
pliment, dignified Powhatan with the title of
James river.

After five weeks stay before the town, the
ships, having recruited their word and water,
set sail again for England, leaving one hun-

dred and eigtt adventurers to establish the
coion)^ Of these more than half were men
of family. The Captains Martin and Kendal
had already distinguished themselves in arms^
^nd the mien, loi.ks and speech of Percy and
Rolfe, blazoned forth their claim to the title
of gentlemen.

Being left to their fortunes, the chief part
of the Colonists were seized with sickness and
tlebility ; but this only stimulated Smith to
spur the industiy of those who were capable
of labour. He set some to mow, some to
bind thatch, some to build huts and others to
thatch them ; being always himself the most
active at work, and neglecting his own lodg-
ings to procure them for his comrades.

A small town rose on the banks of the
majestic river that poured with solemn ma-
jesty its expanded waters into the capacious
bosom of the Chesapeake ; and the busy hum
lof men was now heard in th-^se regions of
awful silence which had before been disturbed
only by the scream of the eagle, and the roar
of the cataract.

It is only in active life that men can es-
timate their qualities, f ^r it is impossible to
answer for that courage which has never en?

countered danger, or that fortitude which haa
never had any evils to support. The situation
of the colonists was now the touchstone of
their moral character. A scanty supply of
provisions, and the uncertainty of recruiting
them in a country where every imagination
was filled with the barbarity of the natives,
disquieted the breasts of those whose nerves
weve not firm.

The colony being in great want of provis-
ions, Capt. Smith picked out some of his best
hands, and embarked in a shallop which they
had brought from England, to seek a supply.
The party consisted of only six men, ill provi-
ded with clothes and other necessaries ; but
the deficiency of numbers and ecpiipment was
compensated by the resolution and address of
their leader.

They proceeded down James river to Ke-
coughtan, where the natives, knowing the
needy state of the c?lony, treated them with
contempt ; offering an ear of Indian corn in
exchange for a musket or a sword, and less
for their tattered jackets, trovvsers and hats.

At first Capt. Smith practised all the arts of
blandishment, but finding that courtesy only
rendered tiiem more insolent, he hauled liis

55

boat on shore, and drawing his men up in a
body, discharged a voley of musketry among
the inhospitable natives.

Thus suddenly assailed, the affrighed In-
dians fled into the woods. The party then
searched their wigwams, in which they found
plenty of corn ; but Smith, suspecting the In-
dians would rally and attack him, thought
more of defence than booty.

In a short time they appeared to the
numLer of seventj', formed into a square, and
carrying their idol Okee, an image hewed
out of wood, cloa;hed with skins, stuffed
with moss, and adorned with the feathers
of birds ; an image of an aspect so uncouth
that it filled the whole party with a burst
of laughter, without excepting Smith, who,
though often seen to smile, w-as seldom heard
to laugh. Yet warm and consci .us from
the presence of their Okee, the Indians ad-
vanced singing to the charge, armed with
clubs and target?, b nvs and arrows.

The party received them with a volley of
shot which brought several to the ground,
and their idol am^ng them. This disheart-
ened the rest. They fled with precipitation
into the woods, and sent a deputation to of-
fer peace, and redeem their God.

23

Capt. Smith having in his hands so valu-
a])le a pledge was able to bring the Indians to
his own terms. He stipulated that six of
them should come unarmed aiid load his b'^at
vvitii corn, and that on this condition he would
not only restore their god, but give them
hatchets and beads, and rings and copper.
The stipulations were faithfully performed on
both sides ; and the Indians not only loaded
the boat with corn, but presented him and his
party with venison and turkeys. They then
c-ntinued singing and dancing till their de-
parture.

During Capt. Smith's absence, several of
the Colonists weary of their condition, fitted
out the pinnace to escape to England.
He returned at the moment the party
were embarking. He found Capt. Kendal
at their head, a man of determined resolution.
He however, declared that before the pin-
nace left James Town, he would fall fighting
to detain her. A civil broil ensued. With
a great disparity of force, he made an assault
sword in hand, on Capt. Kendal and his
malcontents ; several fell on both sides, till
at length Kendal being slain fighting hand
to hand with Smith, the embarking party

24

called for quarter, and laid down their arms.
In this conflict Rolf and Percy eminently
distinguished themselves ; and sergeant Jef-
frey was severely wonded in espousing the
cause of Capt. Smith.

And now the winter approaching, the ri-
vers became so covered with swans, geete,
ducks and cranes, that the colonists feasted
abundantly, and were reconciled to their lot.

One of the tributary streams to the river
Powhatan is that of Chickahominy, which de-
scended about four miles below the infant
settlement. From its fertile banks the colony
hoped to be supplied with food, and it was an
object of importance to discover its source.
The dread of an ambush from the Indians
deterred the majority from the undertaking;
but, Capt. Smith, ever delighting in enter-
prise, gallantly vuidertook himseli to explore
the bead of tlie river, having found six others
who were willing to become the sharers of his
danger.

Having with much labour cleared a pas-
sage for his barge, by ftlling the trees on the
borders of the river, he got to a broad bay,
the middle cf which was beyond the reach of
an arrow from cither side. Here he moored

25

the barge, and accompanied by two of his
men, Robinson and Emery, proceeded up the
river in a canoe, strictly enjoining the people
left in the barge not to land on any condition.
But no sooner had he departed than the
crew gratified their impulse to land ; and were
received by a discharge of arrows from an am-
bush of three hundred Indians under the
command of Opechancanough, a subtile and
savage barbarian, who had vigilantly watch-
ed their motions.

Each now consulted his safety by flying to
the water-side, and swimming cif to the
barge, but one George Cassen, who could not
swim well, was overtaken by the Indians,
who, iiaving extorted from him the way his
captain was gone, scalped him on the spot,
and went in pursuit of Smith.

Capt. Smith had gone about a dozen miles
up the river, and had discovered its source
among swamps and morasses. Here he left
the canoe to the care of his companions,
Robinson and Emery, and penetrated the
w^oods with his gun in search of wild turkeys.

In the mean t'me Opechancanough was
not backward in the pursuit. He traced the
course which Capt. Smith had taken, and

26

came upon the canoe, in which he found the
two men, overome with fatigue, locked in
profound sleep. These they dispatched with
their tomahawks, and scalping them in haste,
prosecuted their search after Smith.

It was n >t long before the gallant adven-
turer found himself beset by these barbarians;
but the imminent danger to which he was
exposed only animated him to more heroism,
and he determined to die with a resistance
worthy his former reputation for courage.
So warmly did he receive the attack of his
savage enemies, that he laid six of them dead
on the spot. A panic seized the whole ;
none dared advance ; and Smith, keeping the
Indians thus at bay, endeavoured to gam his
canoe ; but regarding his enemy more than
his footsteps, he suddenly plunged in an oozy
creek, and stuck fast in the mire.

The Indians, astonished at his bravery,
did not approach him, till, throwing away his
arms, he made signs that he had surrendered,
when they drew him out of the swamp, and
led him to a fire they had kindled, vviiere his
slain companions were lying.

This sight admonished Smith what he was
to expect. He asked for the cliief of the

27

party, and being shewn Opechancanoiigh,
he presented him a round ivory compass and
dial, which he had taken with him to deter-
mine the conrse of the river.

The vibrations of the needle, and the fly
under the glass, which the savage chief could
see but not touch, afforded him much amuse-
ment ; but when the wonder excited b}^ it
had subsided with its novelty. Smith was tied
up to a tree, and the Indians prepared to dis-
patch him with their arrows. But just as an
archer was drawing his bow-string, Opechan-
canough called to him to desist, and haran-
gued his people in a concise speech, who
formed a circle on the ground to hear him,
yelling out at every sentence a diabolical cry
of IVhoo wJioo zvhoop !

" The stranger," said Opechancanough,
" whom we have made captive, was sent
" hither by the Evil spirit. [A cry of JVlioo
" zvhoo zvhoop!~\ We will not tomahawk hirr.
" [A mournful cry of Whoo zvhoo zvhoop!~\
" He is in league with the Evil Spirit, and by
" sparing his life, we may perhaps sooth his
" anger and pacify his resentment." [A
dreadful cry of Whoo zvhoo zvhoop !

No orator of antiquity ever exceeded this

Indian chief in the force of his emphasis,
and the propriety of his gesture. Indeed the
whole scene was highly dignified. The ex-
pression of his countenance, the enthusiasm
of his tone, his significant attitudes, looking
frequently up toy heaven, now casting his eyes
down on the ground, now pointing to the
prisoner, and anon to the river ; his rude cos-
tume, naked arm, and erect stature, with a
circle of auditors seated on the ground, and
in the open air, could not but impress Smith
with a lively idea of the celebrated speakers
of ancient Greece and Rome.

Opechancanough was a person of distinc-
tion. He was brother to Powhatan, a power-
ful king of Pamunkey, whose will was a law
among his numerous subjects. To Powhatan
he formed the resclution of delivering his pris-
oner, but first he wished to lead him in show
and triumph about the country. For this
purpose they bent tlieir course towards Ora-
pakes, lying on the upper part of Chickahomi-
ny swamp, from whence they liad come. The
Indians in their march drew themselves up in
a file, and Opechancanough walked in the
centre, having the English swQrds and mus-
kt;ts carried before him. Smith followed the

29

chief, led by a couple of Indians, holding him
fast by each arm ; and on either side went six
in file, with their arrows ca itiously notched.

When the Indians had arrived within hear-
ing of the town, they set u]) different cries to
give their countrymen notice of the event of
their expedition. They uttered six dismal
yells to announce that tsix of their party had
been slain ; atid sent f rth one war-who'spto
proclaim they had brought h'^me a prisoner.

The yell of these Indians resembled the
sound of JF/ioo whoo whoopl which was con-
tinued in a long shrill tone till their breath was
exhausted, when they suddenly paused with
a horrid shout. The v\'ar-whoop was a cry yet
louder, which they modulated into notes, by
placing the hand before the mouth. They
could be both very distinctly heard at a con-
siderable distance.

It was evening when the Indians approach-
ed with their captive the town of Orapakes..
It was situated in the desart between Chicka-
hominy and Ycughtanund. It was composed
of three rows of wigwams, and that of Wam-
panoag, the chief warrior, was of great dimtfn-
sions and very commodious. The moon was.
walking in brightness through a cloudless sky,,
c ^

30

the fire-fly was on the wing, and the melan"
choly n ;te of the Muckawiss was heard from
the woods.*

The whole of the village came out to learn
the particulars of what they had only heard in
general terms ; and now a widow was to be
seen mourning her husband, a mistress bewail-
ing her lover, and children crymg for their
fathers.

But unspeakable was the astonishment of
the women and children on beholding the
prisoner, who was so unlike any human being
they had ever before seen. They gazed with
speechless wonder at him; some clasping their
hands in dumb admiration ; some contrasting
the redness of their own colour with the white-
ness of his ; and others unbuttoning his clothes
and buttoning them again with a loud laugh.

The men, however betrayed, or affected to
betray, no emotions of surprise^ The old
people sat with stoicial composure in separate
circles on the ground, smoking their calumets
by moonlight, and conversing with profound

* The Muckawiss was afterwards named Whip-poor-will by
llie EngUsli; from the fanciful assimilation of its cry to those
words.

31

gravity ; while the y-ung fellows jmrsued the
exercises that engaged them, shooting arrows
at a mark, throwing the hatchet, wrestling,
and running. All the domestic drudgery
devolved on the women. Of these some were
busied in splitting wood, some bearing logs
from the forest, and some kindling fires.

Smith was conducted to the wigwam of
Wampanoag, which was illuminated by a
blazing fire of wood. It was the constant
employment of several little girls to feed it
with pine knots ; and a supply of fuel was
brought from time to time by a bUnd Indian
man, who, with a load on his back, was led
about by a b'^y.

The wigwam was the seat of mirth and
jollity. A number of squaws approached the
prisoner, and forming a circle round him,
joined hands and began to dance. Their
long black hair floated down their backs, and
heiglitened the natural grace of their motions.
The dance was succeeded by a supper, which
was prepared by the matrons. And Smith
was so plentifully feasted with bread and ven-
ison, that he suspected their intention was to
fatten and eat him.

Smith passed the night in the wigwam oi

32

Wampannag, where he was witness to the
mode of carrying on an Indian intrigue.
When Wampanoag and his family were
snoring on their mats, a young Indian stole
softly through the door, walking on his hands
and feet. Smith who was not iurnorant of the
implacable resentment of the Indian charac-
ter, suspected it was some assassin coming to
revenge the death of a relation ; and seizing
a tomahawk that lay on the ground, he prepa-
red to resist him j but he soon discovered that
a softer passion than revenge stimulated the
breast of the nccturnal visitor. The Indian
gently approached the dying embers of the
fne, and, lighting a splinter of wood, advan-
ced with great caution towards a young
squaw, who was reposing in the wigwam ; he
then uncovered her head till she waked, or
pretended to awake. The nym.ph rising up,
the lover held to her the light, which he had
carefully concealed in the hollow of his hand ;
and which she immediately blew cut. This
act inflamed the resoectful lover to b{»ldness;
for it evinced that the neart oi his mistress was
n t cruel.

It is not to be supposed that the slumbers
of Smith were very soft 3 but, ho\\ ever he

33

might have been inclined to sleep, the horrid
noises that prevailed throughout the night in
the village would have rendered it impractica-
ble j for the relations of those whom he had
slain never remitted their yells, but when one
was exhausted anotherprolonged the clamour.

The next morning an Indian, whose son
during the night had been seized with a deli-^
rious fever, attempted to kill him, but was
prevented by the guard. The superstition of
the savage had ascribed his son's disorder to
the sorcery of the prisoner, whom the Indians
conducted to the dying youth, imploring he
would recover him. Smith, having examhied
the fellow, assumed a p*;ofound look, and
informed the by-standers that he had a wa-
ter at James Town, which, in such a dis-
order, never failed to produce a cure 3 but
Opechancanough had more cunning than to
allow him to cro and fetch it.

Smith found the Iiidians at Orapakes mak-
ing the greaL'^st preparations for an assault up-
on JasU'-'s Town. To facilitate their designs,
Wampanoag demanrled his advice and assist-
ance ; h.-ldingout to him the alluring rewards
of life and liberty and lands and women.
But he represented the danger of the attempt^

54

and described the springing of mines and
great guns, with such an aggravation of hor-
ror, that the hearers were exceedingly
amazed and terrified. And then he per-
suaded some of them to go to James Town,
under the pretence of obtaining beads ; and
in the leaf of his pocket-book he apprized
the colonists of the warlike preparations of
the besiegers, directing them to affright the
messengers with the explosion of bombs,
and not to fail sending the things that he
wrote for. AVithin three days the messen-
gers returned, greatl}^ astonished themselves,
and filling the hearers with astonishment, at
the dreadful explosions they had witnessed ;
nor less wondering how the prisoner could
divine, or make the paper speak j for all
things were delivered to them as he had so-
lemnly prophesied.

The meditated attack upon James Town
being laid aside, Opechancanough led Smith
in triumph through the country, exhibiting
him with high exultation to the Youghta-
nunds, and Mattaponies, the Piankataiiks
and Nantaughtacunds. They afterwards
conducted him through the country of the
Nominies 5 and when for several weeks he

CJo

had raised the wonder of some, and provoked
the laughter of others, they hroiight him to
Opechancanougu's cliief town on the river
Pamunkey. Tiie curiosity of the women was
here again excited ; and the Indians, in con-
ducting him through the cr^id, performed
with triumphant antics their military exer-
cise ; throwing themsehes into a war-dance
with every distortion of body, and yelling
out the most diabohcal screeches and notes.

Here Smith was confmed three days in a
separate wigwam ; during which time the
inhabitants came in crouds with frightful
bowlings and hellish ceremonies, conjuring
him to declare whether be intended them
good or ill. After this they brought him a
bag of gun- powder, and desired to know
what kind of grain it was j for they judged it
to be the produce of the earth, and carefully
preserved it to plant the next spring.

At length captain Smith was conducted to
Werocomoco, where Powhatan, the In-
dian emperor, lived in savage state and mag-
nificence. When he was brought into the
royal wigwam, he found the king sitting upon
a wooden throne, elevated considerably
above the floor, before a, large fire, clothec'

56

in a flowing robe cf raccoon skins, and wear-
ing on his head a coronet of feathers ; at
each side of him sat a young squaw, to
whom all the other women observed a pro-
found deference ; and along each side of the
wigwam were two rows of men, and behind
them as many of w :men, having their heads
and shoulders painted red, and wearing
round their necks a gveat chain of white
beads. The women discovered their aston-
ishment on beholding Smith, by loud excla-
mations ; and the grim courtiers of the sa-
vage monarch stood wondering at him, as
though he had been a mcnster.

There v/ere two courtiers in waitings
Opitchapan a chief war-captain, and Kaho-
ky the high priest. Opitchapan was a man
of imposing appearance. The upper part of
his hair, cut short, formed a ridge which
stood up hke the comb of a cock. The rest
was knotted behind his ears. He had a
large feather through th.e cartilage of liis
nose, a tablet over i)is breast, made of a
shell, and to his girdle was hung an otter's
skin of which the tail was fastened between
his legs. He was a tall, straight man, with
black lank hair, of a copper colour com-

S7

p5exion, but no beard. He had a tomahawk
hanging to his girdle on one side, a scalping
kniie at the other, and a quiver on his back.

The habit of Kahoky dilFered httle from
that ri Opitchapan ; but his face and body
were grimmed over with soot.

When Smith entered the roj^al wigwam,
the whole court gave a shout ; and the queen
of Appamattox presented him water to wash,
while one of the concubines left the throne,
and brought him a bunch of feathers instead
of a towel to dry himself.

The person of Smith was tall, graceful and
manly. His visage was striking. He had
an eye to command, to threaten, or soothe.
His aspect bespoke a man ready to face his
man, } et capable of moderation ; a charac-
ter comprehending both firmness and refine-
ment ; blending taste with energy, and while
ready to bit, yet able to forbear. It was a
countenance tLat indicated a mind not easy
to be deceived, and ever disposed m? re to
suspicion tiian credulity. His vigorous, ac-
tive figure q-iaiiti-T-d him eminently for the ex-
ercises of tiie field. It resembled mere the
graceful manliness of the Belvidere Apollo ,-

38

tlian the robust structure of the Farnese
Hercules.

The influence of the passions is uniform,
and their effects nearly the same in eveiy
human brcjist ; hence love operates in the
same manner throughout the world, and dis-
covers itself by the same symptoms in the
breasts of beings separated by animmeasure-
able ocean. When Smith appeared before
Powhatan, the first impression he made de-
cided favourably for him on the minds of the
women. This his knowledge of the sex soon
discovered. But there was one young girl
who could not conceal those soft emotions of
which the female bosom is so susceptible;
she cast at him looks of mingled tenderness
and pity ; and when the prisoner, defenceless
and bound, sustained the frowning threats of
the haughty monarch, tears burst from her
■eyes, and lamentations from her lips. It is
in vain to attempt opposing the inroads of
the Blmd God 3 the path of love is a path to
which there is no end, in which there is no
remedy for lovers but to give up their souls.
This tender girl was the daughter of the
Indian m, narch. She was of a delicate
form, but admirably proportioiicd. Her fine

39

dark eyes beamed forth that moral sense,
which imparts a magic to every look, and
constitutes expresbion. There was a dash of
melancholy in her countenance more inte-
resting than smiles. It denoted a vacancy
of heart ; the \vant of some one object on
whom to fix her a'declions. There was a de-
licious redness in her cherub li[)s, a red, a lit-
tle riper than that which burnt on her cheek,
and the nether one somewhat fuller than the
ether, looked as if some bee had newly slung
it. Her long black hair emulated in colour
the glossy plumage of the eagle, and reflect-
ed the like lustre at different exposures to
the light. It flowed in luxuriant tresses
down her comely back and neck, half con-
cealing the polish and symmetry, the rise
and fall, of a bosom just beginning to fill.
She was called Pokahontas. In a word, if
not so beautiful as Venus, she was more sim-
ple than her doves, and her voice was not
less sweet than the song of a seraph.

The same night a long and serious consul-
tation was held by the king and his counsel-
lors, when a large stone was brought before
Powhatan, and several men assembled with
clubs in their hands. The lamentations of;

the women admonished Smith of his destiny ;
who, being brought bhndfolded to the spot,
his head was laid on the stone, and the men
prepared with their clubs to beat out his
brains. The women now became more bit-;
ter in their lamentations over the victim ;
but the savage monai'ch was inexorable, and
the executioners were lifting their clubs to
perform the office of death, when Pokahon-
tas ran with mournful distraction to the stone,
and getting the victim's head in her arms,
laid her own upon it to receive the blow.
Fair Spirit ! thou ministering Angel at the
throne of grace ! if souls disengaged from
their earthly bondage can witness from the
bosom of eternal light what is passing here
below, accept, sweet seraph, this tribute to
thy humanity.

Powhatan was not wanting in paternal
■feeling ; his soul was devoted to his daughter
Pokahontas ; and so much did his ferocity
relent at this display of her innocent softness,
that he pronounced the prisoner's pardon,
and dismissed the executioners. Indeed
every heart melted into tenderness at the
scene. The joy of the young princess ex-

4T

pressed itself in silence 3 she hung wildly (3ir
the neck of the reprieved victim, weeping
with a violence that choaked her atterance.

The flame of love was now lighted up in
the bosom of the Indian maid. Not content
with the simpler graces of nature, she diversi-
fied the strings of coral that encircled her neck,
suspended to her ears the most brilliant of the
humming-birds, and interwove the gayest
flowers of the spring with the streaming
tresses of her hair. In the variations that
marked the adjustment of her hair she dis-
played no little coquetiy. One while she
would suffer it to riot down her comely neck
and shoulders, shading, but not hiding the
protuberance of her bosom ; and anon she
would braid it close up behind,, while the
string of flowers that encircled it was lost in
its profusion. And then, gay and conscious,
she would steal to the clear stream, and gaze
at her own image reflected below.

Her passion discovered itself by a thousand-
wild charms. She would lead captain Smith
by moon-light to the fafls of the river,. where
lulled into a delicious languor by the melody
of the mock-bird, and the cadence of the^

D. a

42

stream, she would lay before him the spoils
that her lovers had presented to her ; the
trophies of warriors, and the laurels of
princes. She wor.ld then point to tlie east,
and, looking up at him tenderl}^ endeavour
to learn by signs whether lie was content to
be with her, or again wanted to cross the
wide rolling ocean.

To all this loveliness and innocent art cap-
lain Smith replied with smiles, but they were
smiles he imposed on his countenance, and
not those of passion. The object of his
heart was the colony he had founded, and in-
tent only upon this, he sat musing and ab-
stracted amidst the endearments of the
•princess^

About a week after the interposition cf
Pckabontas between captain Smith and the
war-club of the ferocious executioner, her
brother Nantaquas returned from a journey
be} ond the niountains. Tiie joy of Poka-
hontas was unspeakable at his return. She
would fondly embrace hiii>, wind round him
her arms, or hanging to his shoulders, look
np at him with bewitching sweetness. But
Kantaquas little regarding her endearments,
"was lost in motionless abstraction at the vi-

4S

sion of captain Smith, his figure, colouf^,
speech and costume,

Nantaquas sat down before the fire of the
royal wigwam, and began to smoke his pipe
in solemn silence. It was to no purpose that
Pokahontas, throwing into her looks the ut-
most softness and affection, enquired his ad-
ventures. His eyes were rivetted to Smith,
and curiosity triumphing, he demanded from
his sister the history of the stranger.

It was then the sweet girl related to him
the whole of his story, with every amplifi-
cation of panegyric that untutored tender-
ness could suggest. She told him how he
had traversed the wide waste of water, from
regions not dreamed of in the speculations of
their forefathers ; how he had been surprised
by Opechancanough, and with what intrepi-
dity he had defended himself against a dispa-
rity of force ; how he had been led by her
father to the block, and how she had run
between him and the uplifted tomahawk.

It was then the emotions of the young red
warrior discovered themselves in all the ebul-
htion of native greatness, lie first tenderly
embraced his sister for her sensibility, and

ruiining to captain Smith, fell on his neck
with mingled rapture and admiration.

During this interesting spectacle Powha-
tan entered the wigwam, accompanied by
his chief war-captain and high-priest. He
seemed pleased with the friendship which
Nantaquas felt for captain Smith, and said
to the youth, " My son, I have granted the
" white man his life, that he may make
" hatchets for you, and beads for jour sister."

" No, sire !" replied the prince, " Life
" without liberty is only a burden ! Let
" the stranger return to his expecting coun-
" trymen. He has not injured us ; he has
'* taken nothing by force. He wants only a
" little ground ; you can easily space it."

Powhatan was about to reply, when a na-
ked red boy ran into the wigwam, and culled
to the young prince that a wood-pelican had
just lighted upon a cypress before the door.
Nantaquas did not stop to hear more, but,
seizing his bow and quiver, with a shrill and
terrible whoop, he bounded out of the wig-
wam.

The pelican was sitting solitary and sad
upon the topmost limb of a tall dead cypress
tree. His neck was contracted and drawn

A5

in upon his shoulders, and his beak rested like
a long scythe upon his breast. The young
red warrior dispatched him with his bow, and
the bird came tumbUng down among the
dead branches of the tree.

Pokahontas ran out to see the impaled bird.
Nantaquas was cutting him up with his scalp-
ing knife, and had aheady pulled out of the
bag or pouch under his threat, a young
rattle-snake and a large frog.

The tail of the bird, which was large and
white, was the object of Nantaquas's avidity ;
and he gave it to Pokahontas to stain its
feathers with a zone of red, and construct
from it a royal standard for his file cf red war-
riors when he next went to battle.

It was the custom of Powhatan when he
was weary of his women^^to bestow them
among; those of his courtiers who had ina:ra-
tiated themselves into his favour ; nor could
his servants be more honoured than by this
mark of his esteem.

Powhatan had conceived a very high predi-
lection for Capt. Smith. He had caused his
person to be adorned with a robe of racoon-
skins, similar to that which he wore himself,
with all the tails hanging to them s and ^^hen

46

he was glutted with the possession of the two
women who sat at his throne, he signified it
to be his royal pleasure to consign one of
them to his guest.

No sooner did this intelligence reach the
ears of the squaws, than a bitter controversy
took place between them respecting which of
the two was more worthy of pre-eminence.
Jealousy cannot, like other passions, be res-
trained by modesty or prudence ^ a vent it
will have ; and soon it burst forth from these
women with the impetuosity of a torrent.
They had neither nails nor fingers enough to
scratch with, nor a voiubility of tongue suffi-
cient to deliver the abuse that laboured with
convulsive throes to come forth from their
bosoms.

At length Powhatan separated the comba-
tants, and told Capt. Smith to make his
choice. But Capt. Smith, who was a man
that never forgot the respect due to himself,
declined with cold civility the honour his
majesty intended him^ to the unspeakable joy
of Pokahontas, who had awaited the event in
soHtude and tears.

The friendship of Nantaquas for Capt.
Smith grew now stronger every hour, and one

47

day he accosted Powhatan on the subject of
his release, in the presence of the high priest
and chief war-captains.

" My father, and you, O warriors," ex-
claimed the young prince, "lend an ear to my
" discourse. The white man who here stands
" before you, was never outdone by the red.
" He is intrepid in war, and active in the
" chase. He can undergo toil. He will
** swim all day, drag his canoe against the
" falls, and is always on his guard against
** surprize from an enemy."

The whole of this harangue from the young

prince, was accompanied with corresponding

action. One while he would represent a

man pushing forward a canoe with a pole,

and anon paddling with an oar; sometimes

he seemed out of breath, and then resuming

his spirits, became more calm. ^

" He kept the fierce Opechancanough and

** three hundred of his chief warriors at bay ;

" bidding defiance to their arrows, their toma-

" hawks and scalping knives."

Here the young prince threw himself into
several hostile attitudes.

" None dared to approach him. They all
" stood motionless with terror , and it is not
" to their prowess, b ut accident, that the

4S

" wliite man owes his captivity. O consent,
" my father ! and you, O warriors second the
*' petition I make, that the prisoner be res-
" tored to his expecting countrymen."

Opitchapan, the chief war-captain of Pow-
hatan, now stood up, amidst the circle of au-
ditors seated on the ground.

" Hear, O my king," cried Opitchapan,
" and ^ou, O chief warriors, the prophetic
" voice of warning. Let us not bury the to-
" mahawk. The bones of six warriors, slain
" by the captive, are yet uncovered, and
" their spirits cry out against us."

Here tears flowed from the eyes of Opit-
chapan, and the war-whoop trembled on his
lips.

" The genii, who are the guardians r{ our
•^ honour, inspire us to crush the whites, who
" have ravished from us our lands, laid waste
*' our fields, and slain our brethren in arms.
*' Be not, theref' re, passive, but anoint your
*' hair, paint your faces, fill y :>ur quivers, make
*' the woods ring with y^ur whoop, console
*' the spirits of the murdered, and tell them
*' thi-y are avenged."

Ana here, snaiching up his tomahawk in a
transport of fury, he began to sing the song
of war.

49

Kahoky, the high priest was now consulted,
who, rising, spoke as follows :

" Though it becomes my sacred function
*• to promote peace and quiet, yet in this
" cause I burn with impatience to imbrue
" both my hands in the blood of the whites.
'* They come not only to rob, but to make
" inroads on our religion. Brothers ' by the
" inspiration of the Great Spirit ! I now
" speak unto you, and by him I am prompt-
" ed to wipe away the blood of the slain.
" Let us assemble and march through the
" war-path to surprise them. Let us take
" their scapls, drink their blood, and roasfc
" them aUve."

" O king, my father," resumed Nanta-
*' quas, " restore the white man to liberty,
" and let me conduct him to his brethren.
" AVe will forget our songs of war, and ex-
" change them for songs of peace. I will
" make a great chain of friendship with the
" whites, never to be broken. We will
" smoke together; we wiU smoke as brothers
" out of the pipe of peace. Hear me, sire !
" Great designs fi'l my breast.. I will learn
" vvhatever arts are of use and advantage,
-*' and introduce them into my own country."

E

50

Two tlays after these debates, Powhatan
disguised himself in the most frightful man-
ner his imagination could suggest. He then
caused Capt. Smith to be carried to a great
wigwam in the woods, and there to be left
alone on a mat by the fire. Not long after,
from behind a kind of arras that divided the
apartment, was made the most doleful noise
his ears had ever heard ; and presently, Pow-
hatan, with about two hundred of his Indians
frightfully disguised, rushed from behind the
arras, with the most hellish shouts and cries,
cast themselves into a ring about the fire,
singing and dancing with strange variety, of-
ten relapsing into their infernal passions, and
then solemnly betaking themselves again to
sing and dance. Powhatan advanced to-
wards Capt. Smith and informed him that
they were now friends, and that he should
immediately go to James Town, and send
him one cf the engines of war whose voice
could mimic the thunder of the clouds ; that
he would give him the country of Capahowsic
in exchange for it, and ever after esteem him
next to his son Nantaquas.

The next morning Capt. Smith set cut
for James Town, accompanied by the young

51

prince, Pawhimt, the confidential servant of
Powhatan, Namasket, Chillaback and Saco-
net, three distinguished young warriors, be-
«ides seven more of subordinate rank, who
composed the travelling train of the prince.

Miami, son to Kahoky, the high-priest,
contended to make cne of the party in the
stead of Saconet ; and a dispute ensued,
which rose to such a height that brandishing
their tomahawks, thcv would have determined
the affair by single combat, had not Powha-
tan disarmed them with an annrv frown. So
violent was the rage of Miami that, after he
had been disclaimed, he stood half an hour
at the door of his father's wigviam, looking
at Saconet with a vindictive aspect, and in
sullen silence.

Pokahontas beheld the departure of Capt.
Smith with eyes brimful of tears. She had
not been apprized of it, and that day had put
on for the first time a cloak higeniously wo-
ven from the scarlet feathers of the Flamingo,
which a prince from the nation of the Kan-
havvas had laid at her feet. It was just large
enough to cover her beautiful bosom and
shoulders, and was ornamented round tfie
edges with a fanciful fringe. But her counte-

6t

«ance was now at variance with the gaiety of
her dress. She looked extremely dejected;
and when Capt. Smith came to salute and
t)id her farewell, she replied with loud weeping.

Nantaquas and his three young compani-
ens, Namasket, Chillaback and Saconet,
were equipped, either for the sports of the
field, or a conflict with an enemy. In des-
cribing the dress of the Prince, I describe
the dress of all. His long black hair hung
loose, rioting on his match coat, thrown
gracefully over his shoulders. His leggings,
which, by their tightness, displayed his mus-
cular growth, reached halfway up the thigh,
and wanted only waistbands to resemble
pantaloons : they were sewed to his mocas-
sins, and embroidered round the ancle, and
at the seams, with porcupine quills. In one
hand he held his bow, and over his back was
slung a quiver, which was made of the skin of
a wolf, with the head hanging to it. Such
was the costume of tlie young red prince,
who, leaning on his bow, meditated either
hunting, war or love.

Kahoky the priest, having burnt tobacco
instead of incense to the sun, to bribe him
to send fair weather and a prosperous jour-

SB

ney to the party, the young prince and his
retinue went dancing and singing out of the
town, amidst the war-whoop of the men and
the acclamations of the women.

Their road lay through a country well
stocked with oaks, poplars, pines, cedars
and cypress. The theatre of nature could
be scarcely more magnificent. For here
rose tall forests, there rolled a large river, and
herds of wild animals were seen browsing on
its banks. The whole country displayed au
exuberant verdure ; the dog wood was shed-
ding its blossoms in the wilderness, and the
wild strawberry purpled the woods, the fields,
the plains.

The party encamped at evening, round a
cypress, which invited them to repose after
the fatigue of their march. The cypress is
in the first order of American trees. Its ma-
jestic stature, the stateliness of its trunk,
lifting its cumbrous branches towards the
skies, tlie delicacy of its colour, and the
texture of its leaves, fill the mind with ming-
led emotions of pleasure and awe. Fr^ m its
mighty branches hang streamers of long
moss, which fLat in the wind 5 and on its
z2

54

lofty top the eagle builds his nest, and the
stork finds a resting p^ace.

The sun was descending beneath the moun-
tains, the shadows of the Indians grew longer,
the wild geese, in successive flocks, pursuing
their flight home, proclaimed their passage
by their cries ; and a mocking-bird, perched
on a neighbouring white thorn, was warbling
to the last rays of day his farewell song.

The mocking-bird is the sweetest chorister
of the feathered race, without excepting
even the nightingale. Mobile it possesses the
power of imitating the notes of other birds,
it equals that charming songster in the pecu-
liar melody of its own strain.

But the mocking-bird mingles action with
its song, and its measured movements accom-
pany and express the succession of its emo-
tions. Its prelude is to rise slowly with ex-
panded wings, and soon sink back to the
same spot, its head hanging downwards.
Its action now corresponds with the varied
nature of its music. If the notes are brisk
and lively, it describes in the air a number
t)f circles crossing each other ; or it ascends
and descends continually in a spiral line. If
they are loud-and rapid, it with equal brisk-

55

ness flaps its wings. Is its song unequal ? it
flutter?, it bounds. Do its tones soften by
degrees, melt into tender strains, and die
away in a pause more charming than the
sweetest music ? it gently diminishes its ac-
tion, glides smoothly above its resting place,
till the wavings of its wings begin to be im-
perceptible, at last cease, and the bird re-
mains suspended and motionless in the air.

About noon of the second day's journey,
the young prince and his party approached
an Indian village, situated on the rising bank
of a small river. Some of the youths were
naked, up to their hips in water, fishing with
rods and lines ; while others, younger, were
diverting themselves in shooting frogs with
their bows and arrows. On seeing Smith,
the children took to tiieir heels and ran to
some squaws, who were gazing before their
wigwams ; but the stouter youth stood their
ground, and began to shout with great voci-
feration.

Saconet hastened forward to announce to
the inhabitants the coming of the son of
Powhatan, to whom they were tributary ;
when a herald went round to proclaim the
news, and the whole village came out, fol-

56

lowing tlieir chief, who presented to the
prince the pipe of peace, euriously painted,
and ornamented with feathers.

The prince smoked out of the pipe with
graceful condescension, when the tributary
chief dug a hole in the ground, and buried
a painted tomahawk. The prince, in his
turn, presented a belt of wampum to the
chief j which served as a new ratification of
peace, and wa^ to record to the latest poste-
rity, by the hieroglyphics into which the
shells were formed, every stipulated article
in the treaty between them.

A repast of venison and homony was now
served to the visitors, which was succeed-
ed by a dance composed of the prince and his
warriors, and the most beautiful virgins of the
village. They beat the ground with their
feet to the music of a drum made of a skin
stretched over a gourd -, and when they bad
danced till the mcon gilded the trees, and
the expiring fire of the wigwam scarce ref-
lected the shadov/s of the dancers, the chief
of the village admonished his princely guest
of the lateness of the hour, and haranguing
him with great solemnity, entreated that he
^nd his young warriors would connrm the

bond of friendship with his tribe, by selecting
each a mistress from the virgins of the dance.
Upon which the nymphs affecting terror in
their looks, took to their heels into the woods,
followed closely by Nantaquas and his warri-
ors, who soon returned to the wigwam,
amidst the shouts of the village, each bearing
in his arms a throbbing bosomed partner.

The party now resumed their journey
through a country which might be assimilat-
ed to one continued forest. Tall trees of
pine, planted by the hand of nature, in re-
gular rows, bordered their path. All was
rudeness, silence and solitude. No animal
was seen but here and there a deer gliding
through the trees, and no sound was heard
but that of the wood-pecker. There was
no oiher object to employ the sight, and no
other noise to disturb the repose of the wil-
derness.

The wood-pecker, in striking his beak
against a tree, makes a sharp noise, which
he keeps up for some time by quick repeti-
tion. It is a bird of pecuhar instinct. It
looks for worms among the trunks of those
trees that have lost their bark. It clasps the
tree with its breast close, and listens if it can

58

hear a worm eating the wood. On the first
sound, it pierces the wood in that part, and
pricking the worm with its hard and pointed
tongue, instantly draws it out.

Ofci approaching the settlement of James-
Town, Nant aquas and iiis party set up the
cry of arrival. Capt. Smith hastened for-
ward, and was received with great warmth
by Percy and Rolfe, and the acclamations
of the whole colony.

And thus, Capt. Smith, after seven weeks*
captivity, returned to James Town, improved
in his knowledge of the country, and the lan-
guage of the natives. He behaved to the
young prince and his party with the most
flattering attention ; and having shewn Paw-
hunt a brass nine-pounder, desired he would
cany it with his compliments to the king,
Tlie weight of the cannon soon deterred him
from the attempt j but when the Indians saw
Capt. Smith discharge it, loaded with stone,
amidst the boughs of a large oak, they ran
with wonder and dismay from the engine of
terror.

Finding ever)'- effort ineffectual to trans-
port the gun to Powhatan, their attention
was turned to the toys Capt. Smith exhibited

.59

before them. With these he leaded the
young prince and his whole party, after se-
lecting the most dazzhng as presents for Pow-
hatan, Opitchapan, and the tender Pokahon-
tas.

When Capt. Smith returned to James
Town, he found the colony in the utmost
confusion. They considered their affairs des-
perate, and were fitting out a bark to return
to England. Our adventurer exerted his
abilities to frustrate the execution of this pro-
ject. He lost no occasion to adorn with
every embellishment of imagination, the
beauty and fertihty of the country he had
travelled through; he dwelt with admiration
on the grain deposited in the store-houses of
the natives ; and, in fact, represented it to be
a second Canaan, a land that flowed with
milk and honey. His eloquence was not
without the desired effect. He prevailed
upon the bravest of the colonists to alter their
resolution, and by their influence he overaw-
ed the extravagant projects of the rest. The
Virginians, therefore, jnstly regard him as
the saviour of that infant plantation.

The colonists now thought once more of
maintaining the fort ; and in this resolution

60

they were confirmed by the coming of Nan-
taquas and Pokahontas, with a numerous
train of attendants, loaded with Indian corn,
and other grain of the country.

The colonists flocked with eager curiosity
to behold the Indian princess, who had saved,
by her interposition, the life of their chief;
nor was their admiration less excited by the
beauty of her perscn, than the humanity of
her disposition.

The acclamations of the croud affected to
tears the sensibility of the princess ; but her
native modesty was abashed ; she clung inno-
cently to Smith, and hid her face in his b-^som.

The same year Capt. Newport arrived
from England, with a reinfcrcement of men,
and a supply of provisions. The ship also
brought a quantity of trinkets, and Capt.
Newport, under the escort of C-^pt. Smith,
made a journey to AVerocomoco, to trade
with Powhatan.

They were accompanied by twenty gentle-
men of the colony, among whom were Percy
and Rolfe.

The Indian monarch strained himself to
the utmost, of his greatness to receive them ;
his people giving loud shouts, his warriors

61

making orations, and his women joining in a
dance.

They found him sitting upon a bed of mats,
of which the pillow was leather embroidered
with pearls ; and at his head and feet sat a
young squaw.

On each side of the wigwam sat twenty
women in rows, and behind them his chief
men in like order. Several hundred men
composed a guard for the passage of the
English; and proclamation was made that
no one, on pain cf death, should do thein
any wrong.

Nantaquas alddressed them in an oration
of love, and presented a large chain cf beads
to Capt. Newport, in token of the friend-
ship of the monarch his fiither ; while Po-
kahontas prepared a feast to regale the white
guests.

Three days were spent in feasting and
dancing. The Indian girls became snon
practised in the European dance. The
country dance and reel »\'ere danced with
much grace by Pokahontas and R: Ife ; and
Percy, &c. gave their hands to the otlier
Indian damsels, to the m.anifest diversi*!) of
Powhatan, whose throne shook with laughter.

62

At length they came to trade, when the
Indian monarch carried himself so nobly, as
jnade all the EngUsh admire his natural gifts.

" Capt. Newport," said Powhatan, " it
** is not agreeable to my greatness in this
*' peddling manner to trade for trifles ; and
" I esteem you also a great Werowance :
** lay down, therefore, at once, all your
" goods, and I will give you the full value
" for them."

Capt. Smith, who stood as mterpreter,
perceived Powhatan wanted to cheat New-
port, and warned him of it ; but he, think-
ing to out-brave the savage prince, displayed
the whole cf his store.

Powhatan then set such a price on his
corn, that not more than four bushels could
be obtained, and the necessary supply would
have failed the colony, had not the inventive
genius of Capt. Smith devised an artifice
which proved successful. He had secreted
some trifles, and among them a parcel of
blue beads, which, apparently without de-
sign, he exposed to the eye of Powhatan.
The bait caught him, and he earnestly desir-
ed to purchase them. Smith, in his turn,
raised their value ; extoUing them as the

63

most precious jewels, resembling the co-
lour of the sky, and worthy the noblest so-
vereigns in the universe. The imagination
of the Indian monarch was inflamed, and he
made large offers. Capt. Smith affected to
hold a council with his people, and at length
exchanged a p- und of blue beads for five
hundred bushels of corn.

"Having finished the necessary business of
the season, and dispatched Captain New-
port's ship for England, Capt. Smith under-
took a voyage of discovery, with twelve
others. They went down James river in an
open barge, in company with the ship ; and
having parted with her at Cape Henry, they
crossed the mouth of the bay, and fell in with
a cluster of islands without Cape Charles,
which they called Smith's Isles, a name they
still bear. Sailing along the coast, the native*
ran amazed in troops from place to place,
with every one a basket, and dancing in a
ring to draw them ashore. But their mo-
tions being also hostile, the boat's crew dis-
charged a volley of muskets loaded with
pistol shot among them ; upon which they
all fell sprawling upon the ground, some

64

creeping one way and some another, into
the adjacent trees.

Leaving the eastern shore, and stretching
to the northward, they reached a woody soil
frequented with wolves, bears and deer.
Having entered several considerable creeks,
the party became weary of discovery, and
importuned Capt. Smith to return to James
Town ; urging that their provisions were
spoiled with salt water.

"Gentlemen," said the Captain " youcan-
" not but recollect the memorable history
" of Sir Ralph Lane, how his company impor-
" tuned him to prosecute the discovery of AIo-
" ratico, alledging they had yet a dog in their
" boat to subsist on ; then what a shame it is
" in you to desire me to return, when we have
" so much provisions left , and are scarce
" able yet to say whither we have been.
" Regain, therefore, 3'our old spirits, for
" return I will not (if God please) till I have
" seen the Massavvomeks and found the Po-
" tomac."

This speech called three loud cheers from
the barge's crew, who oflered to accompany
their Captain to the end of the world.

65

A iew days after, they fell in with the Po-
tomac, which was seven inilei broad. They
sailed thirty miles up it, Mitht ut seeing any
inhabitants ; but at length several thousand!^
crouded to the strand, painted and disguised,
shouting and yelling. AVith these natives
Capt. Smith bartered beads for corn, stipulat-
ing they should come unarmed, and give him
a child or two as hostages.

They next sailed up the Patapsco, where
the boat grounded, and, while they were
waiting for the tide, they employed them-
selves in sticking with their swords the fish
which were left on the flats. Capt, Smith
having stuck his sword into a stingray, the
fish raised its tail, and with its sharp indented
thorn wounded him in the arm. The wound-
was extremely painful, and he swelled so
monstrously that they expected him to die j
and he gave them orders to bury him on a
neighbouring island. But one of the party,
by the help of the oil of the fish, so allayed
the swelling, that theCaptian was able to eat
part of it lor his supper. The place, from this
occurrence, was called Stingray Pointy which'
name it still retains.

F g _

66

Proceeding up the Susquehannah, thcj
found the natives simple and friendly. The
order of the day was to have prayers with a
psalm, at which the Indians much wondered.
The prayers being over, they were engaged
in a consultation till their business was con-
trived, when they began in a most passionate
manner to hold up their hands to the sun,
with a fearful song, and embracing Capt.
Smith, fell to worship him . He rebuked
them for their adoration, pointing out to them
the true god, but they proceeded in their
song, and an oration of their love.

The highest mountains which they saw,
in the north, they called Peregrine's Mount^
and certain promontories were named Wat-
kins', Read's and Montford's points, after
the names of those in the barge who discov-
ered them. A rocky river was called Wil-
loughby river, in honour of the place where
Capt. Smith was born ; and, having buried
one of their party in a small bay, they named
it Featherstone's bay, after the name of the
deceased.

They were hospitably entertained by the
people of Moraughtacund, and ISIosco, a

67

young Indian, embarked with them to facili-
tate their discoveries. He advised them to
avoid the Rappahannocks, " who," he said^
" would kill them for their being friends
" with the Moraughtacunds, with whom
" they were at war." This representation,
however, could not withold the Captain from
crossing over to the Rappahannocks.

Several of the chiefs came to receive the En-
glish. The Captain pursuant to his caution,
demanded to exchange a man in sign of love,
and, after some consultation, four or five In-
dains came up to their middles in water, to
fetch the white man and leave a red one in his
steadv They further said, the whites need
not fear them, for they had neither clubs,
nor bows, nor arrows.

Notwithstanding these professions. Anas
Todkill, the hostage, having gone about two
stones' throw up the plain, discovered an am-
buscade of several hundred Indians behind
the trees, and, offering to return to the boat,
an Indian chief laid hold of him. Upon this
he called out to Capt. Smith that he was be-
trayed , and before he had spoken, the In-
dian hostage leaped overboard 3 but sergeant

68

JefTrev, his Ivoeprr, slew him in the water.
And immediately the English let fly am ng
the Indians, so that they all fled, and Anas
escaped.

Captain Smith followed them up into the
woods, where they found several slain, and
a young Indian wounded in the knee, unaljle
to move. Mosco, on beholding him, was as
furious as a dog against a bear, and would
have beaten out his brains ; but the Captain
had him carried to the barge, where he
dressed his wound.

Then he told Mosco to ask who he was,
and what countries were beyond the moun-
tains. The youth mildly answered, *' he
" came from Hassinninga, where there were
*' three Kings on a visit ; the King of Stego-
" ra, the King of Sauxuntania, and the King
*' of Shakahonea ; and that they were come
" to hunt, to feast and to dance." On being
asked why his countrymen wanted to betray
them, w hen they came to them in peace and
to seek their loves, he answered " they heard
" they were a people come from under the
" vvf rid to take their world from them." On
being asked iiovv many worlds he knew, he

69

replied " he knew of no other than that which
" was under the sky that covered him, the
" territory of the Powhatans, the Monacans,
" and Massawoheks" ; and on being asked
what was beyond the mountains, he said " the
sun" : but of any thing else he knew noth-
ing, because the woods were not burned.*

At night-fall the parly embarked, and pro-
ceeded up the river. Tiie night was awfully
dark, and it was not long before they heard
arrows dropping on both sides of the barge :
Mosco and the captive Amoroleck called to
the Indians ; but they made such a halloing
and yeUing that they could hear nothing ;
upon which the English fired now and then
their pieces at them, aiming at those places
where the most voices were heard.

More than twelve miles the Indians follow-
ed the boat. When the day dawned, they
found themselves in the middle of a broad
bay, out cf danger of their arrows; where they
came to an anchor, and fell to breakfast.-^
They did not so much as regard the Indians,
till the sun was risen ; when tliey shewed
themselves armed, and the captive Amoro-
leck.

• 'Jhe Indians can only travel wliere the woods arc burned.

70

A long discourse was hel»i bet ween Amoro-
leck and iiis countrymen : he made the pane-
gyric of the English : " h^vv good they were,
" how v.'ell they used him ; how they had a
" Potomac with them that would have slain
•* him had they not prevented him ; that he
"should have his liberty would they be but
" friends ; and to do them any hurt, it waj*
" impossible."

Upon this they all hung their bows and
quivers upon the tree=, and the three Kings
swam off to the barge ; the King of Stegora,
the King of Sauxuntania, and the King of
Shakahonea. Capt. Smith received them with
kindness. They wondered much at every
thing. His pistols they took to be pipes, and
wanted much to smoke out of them. They
ordered the Indians on the beach to bring
down corn and venison, and the Captain re-
stored to them the captive Amoroieck.

In a fair calm, rowing towards Poiut Com-
fort, such a sudden gust surprized them in
the night, with thunder and rain, that they
never thought ever to see JamesTown again.
Yet running before the wind, they sometimes
saw the land by the flashes of (ire from Hea-
ven, and got to Point Comfoit. They after-

71

wards shaped their course homeward, and
sailed up James River to the Fort, amidst
the acclamations of the colonists.

And thus Capt. Smith performed a voy-
age of about three thousand miles in an
open boat, ill fitted for such an extensive
navigation, during which the hardships to
which he was exposed, as well as the pati-
ence with which he endured, and the forti-
tude with which he surmounted them, equal
whatever is related of the celebrated Spanish
discoverers in their most daring enterprizes.
He brought with him an account of that large
portion of the American continent, now
comprehended in the states of Virginia and
Maryland, so full and exact, that after the
progress of information and research for a
century and a half, his map exhibits no inac-
curate view of both countries, and is the
original upon which all subsequent delinea-
tions and descriptions have been formed.

The following year another ship arrived
with supplies for the settlement ; and the
Virginian company in London, in order to
gain the favour of Powhatan, sent him a
royal present, consisting of a bason and
ewer, a bed and furniture, a chair of state,

72

a suit of scarlet clothes, with a cloak and
crown, to be presented to him in due form.

This present did not meet with the appro-
bation of Capt. Smith. With a few gaudy-
beads he could liave levied contributions on
Powhatan ; whereas a profusion of presents
would only increase his pride and insolence.
He, however, with four men only, travelled
to Wer comoco, to invite the Indian mo-
narch to James Town ; but he was absent
\^ith his chief wan ors on a hunting excur-
sion. Nantaquas, however, received him
with the graces of urbanity ; and the trans-
port his coming lighted up in the features of
the lady Pukahontas, demonstrated what en-
joyment she found in his presence.

In the evening Pokahontas entertained
Capt. Smith and his company with a dance.
In an open plain a fire being made, the
guests were seated by it. Suddenly a noise
was heard in an adjacent wood, which so
alarmed them, that, fiying to their arms,
they seized on some old men as hostages,
imagining they were betrayed. Upon this
the young princess came running to Capt.
Smith, and passionately embracing him,
offered herself to be killed if any harm should

75

happen to him or his company. The noise
which had disconcerted them was made by
thirty girls, who were preparing for the
dance. They made their appearance with
no other covering than a girdle of green
leaves, and their skins painted, each one of a
different colour. Their leader had a pair of
buck's horns on her head, an otter's skin as
a girdle, and another on one arm ; in the
other hand she held a bow and arrow, and
over her back was hung a quiver. The rest
of them had horns on their heads, and wood-
en swords in their hands. With shouting and
singing, they formed a ring round ihe fire,
and performed a circular dance for about an
hour, when they returned in the same order
they had advanced.

The next day Powhatan arrived and Cap-
tain Smith told him that he had received a
present for him from the King of England,
and invited him to James Town, where he
would deliver it to him. Upon which the
subtle Indian replied,

" If your King has sent me presents, I also
*' am a King, and this is my land. You are
" to briMg me the presents, not I to go and
'* fetch them. Your gifts will never take me

G

74

'* to your fort. I am not so silly as to bite at
" such a bait."

TliG present being, therefore, put on board
the boats, it vas carried down James River,
and up the Paniunkey to Worocomoco; while
Mr. Rolfe, with fiity men, went across by
land and met the b^ats, in which he pa.^^ed
the river to assist at the proprsed interview.

Every thing being prepared for the cere-
mony of coronation, the present was brouglit
from the boats ; the bason and ewer were de-
posited, the bed and chair were set up, the
scarlet suit and cloak were put on the back
of tlie Indian monarch, though not till Nan-
taquas and Pokahontas had assured him, that
the habiliments would do him no harm ; but
they had great difficulty in persuading him
to receive the cDun, nor would he bend his
knee, nor incline his head in the least.

After many attempts, and with actual
pressing on his shoulders, they at last made
him sto"p a little, and put it on.

Instant!}', a signal being given, the men in
the b-ats fired a volley s at which the savage
monarch started with horror, imagining that
a design was forming to destroy h;m in the
summit of his glory 3 but, being assured it

15

ivas meant as a compliment, his iears siibsi-
lied, and in return f^r the robes cf royalty re-
ceived from king James, he desired Captain
Smith would present him with his old far
mantle, and deer-skin shoes.

In the ship which brought Powhatan his
crown, came over n-iuny pcrscns of distinction.
Of these Captain Vv' aldo ^yas an experienced
soldier. Mr. AY est was brother to the Lord
Delaware, and added another nobleman to
the colony; for Mr. Percy, whom we have
often witnessed in tiie theatre of action, was
brother to the Earl of Northumberland. Mr.
Scrivener was a man of consideration ^ and
the youths Russel, Berkeley and Throgmor-
ton were of illustrious descent.

In this ship likewise arrived Mrs. Forest
and her husband ; their daughter, who might
have sat to a painter for the youngest sister
of the Graces; and Anne Burras, theirmaid :
so that the female face divine gladdened the
as^embhes of the colonists.

Captain Smith appointed some of the
young noblemen to cut down trees, while h«
empl )yed the others in making clapboard.
The Captain and they went to work, stripped
to their shirts. At fir^t the youths delighted

76

to hear the trees thunder as they fell, but the
axes blistering their fingers, they soon drown-
ed the echoes with their oathii. To reclaim
this swearing, the Captain had their oaths
numbered 3 and at night, for every oath sworn,
a can of water was poured dowa the sleeve
of the offender.

About this period many improvements
were made to the town. A Church was built,
the Store-house was enlarged, and the Fort
reduced into form. The order of the watch
was renev/ed, the troops were trained at each
setting of the watch, and the whole Compa-
ny was exercised every Saturday in a plain
towards the west, which was called by them
Smithfield. Captain Smith spared no pains
to make his young soldiers expert in their
evolutions 5 and a hundred or more Indians
would stand in amazement to behold how a
file would batter a large oak, where he had
made them a mark to shoot at.

In the woods, about a mile from James
Town, they built a glass house, to employ
/some glass-blowers, whom the Virginia Com-
pany had sent out. They built a block-house
on the neck of the peninsula, to receive the
trade of the Indians ; and another bleck-

77

house and a fort were built on liog-Island,
to give notice of any ships ; and a well of ex-
cellent water was sunk in the garrison at
James Town, which till then was wanting.

The supplies procured by trading being in-
sufficient for the support of the Colony, and
hunger very pressing. Captain Smith ventur-
ed on the dangerous project of surprising
Powhatan, and carrying off his whole stock
of provisions. The Indian monarch had
formed a similar design on Captain Smith,
and, for the purpose of betraying him, invited
him to Werocomoco j promising him, that if
he would send him men to build him a house,
he would load his boat with corn.

Captain Smith set forward for Werocomoco
with eighteen of the colonists; namely, Rolfe,
Percy, West, Berkeley, Russel, Sergeant Jef-
frey and eleven others. They proceeded up
the Pamunkey in the barge ; while Adam^
Francis and Volday, three Dutch carpenters,
were dispatched by land with tools to build
Powhatan a house.

They lodged the first night at Kecoughtan^

where the rain, frost and snow caused them

to keep their Christmas with the Indians.

They were profusely regaled with oysters and
g2

78

wild fowl, warmed with large fires of oak and
hickory, and lodged on mats of bear's skin.

Early the following month, they reached
Werocomoco, where the river was frozen half
a mile from the shore ; and in running the
barge up as far as they could, by breaking the
ice, she was left by the ebb upon the oozy
shoals.

In this situation, the Captain was the first
to plunge into the river j and, by his exam-
pie, taught his men to march up to their mid-
dles, a flight shot through the frozen ooze.

On coming to the town of Werocomoco,
they found Powhatan sitting in royal state,
having his queens at his head and feet, and
his courtiers behind him.

Nantaquas was gone on an expedition a-
gainst the Chickahominies ; but Pokahontas,
who was present, welcomed the Captain with
looks that denoted the state of her heart ;
hanging to him with a languishing air, while
her eyes now sought and anon declined the
CLCDunter of her visitants.

Captain Smith and his companions had
scarcely quartered an hour with Powhatan,
feefore he asked them when they would be-
gone ? feigning that he sent not for him^ and

^79

had little conij yet for their swords he would
procure them forty baskets.

In return, the Captain asked Powhatan
how he could be so forgetful, and pointed out
the very Indians who had brought him the
invitation. Upon this Powhatan laugiied
heartily, in which he was joined by his cour-
tiers.

Captain Smith discerning the intent of the
subtle monarch, addressed him in a speech.
" Powhatan," said he, "to satisfy your desires
" I have made great sacrifices ; and to testi-
** fy my love for you, I have sent men to build
" you a house, neglecting the repairs of my
" own. Yet you refuse me corn, unless I ex-
*' change for it my weapons. Powhatan,
** hear me. As for swords and guns, I told
*^ you long ago, I had none to spare ; but you
*^ are to know that those I have can keep me
" from want. Yet I will not dissolve the
" friendship which we have mutually promis-
" ed, unless you constrain me to it by bad
" usage."

To this Powhatan replied, " Capt. Smith,
*' I will spare you what corn I can. Yet I
*' have some doubt of your coming hither,
" which makes me not relieve you as 1 would.

80

*' For many inform me that you come not to
"trade, but to invade my subjects and pos-
" sess my country. Else why are you so arm-
•* ed ? Your weapons terrify my people.
** Seeing your hostile appearance, they dare
" not bring you corn. To free them of this
" fear, leave your weapons on board the boat.
*' They are wholly useless at Werocomoco.
" We are all brothers, all Powhatans."

In discourses of this kind Captain Smith
passed the day, quartering that night with
his companions in the monarch's wigwam.
The next day the Dutch carpenters began
the building. When these wretches, con-
scious of Smith's want, and witnessing Pow-
hatan's plenty, revealed to the Indian King
their commander's project to seize him.

Powhatan listened with great seriousness
to the information of the Dutchmen, and dis-
sembled his knowledge of the Captain's de-
sign with the most profound h\pocrisy. Not
a look, not a gesture, betrayed his acquaint-
ance with the secret ; but with calm compo-
sure he expostulated with his guest on the
superiority of peace over war, alTecting in
his discourse the vanity of being thought ve-
ry old.

SI

" Captain Smith," said he, " you may im-
" derstand that I, having seen the death of
" three generations of my people, know the
" difference between peace and war better
" than any one in my country. Can it be
*' thought that I am so simple as not to
" know, that it is better to eat good meat,
" lie well and sleep quietly with my women,
" laugh and be merry with you, have copper,
" hatchets or what I want while I am in
" friendship with you ; than be forced to flee
" from every comicrt, to lie cold in the
** woods, feed upon acorns, and be so hunted
" by you up and down, that I can neither
" rest, eat nor sleep ? Can any thing be more
*' harrassing than for my tired men to watch,
'•'and, if a twig but break, that every one
" should cry out with consternation, " there
" comes Capt. Smith !" To be forced to flee
" I know not Vv'hither, and thus end my life
" in miserable fear ? No, Capt. Smith. Be
" assured of our love, and, that every year,
" our friendly trade shall furnish you with
*' corn. And let me intreat you, as you prize
" an immediate supply, to lay aside your
" swords and guns. For how can you ex-
" pect my people will trade with you, when
♦"^ you come armed like foes and invaders.

8!8

To this artful harangue Capt. Smith repli-
ed, " as to our wearing our swords, and car-
" rying our muskets on cur shoulders, your
^* people are so accustomed to the sight of
^' them, that they regard them no more than
^' the apparel on our backs. While they are
" conscious of intending us no injury, they
" will be under no apprehension of our arms ;
" for we use them as a defence and not to
*' commit depredations. Your people come to
" James Town, armed wiih their bows and
*' arrows, and we entertain them without sus-
" picion. You say you can flee to the woods.
" But what will that avail you } You could
" not elude our pursuit."

At length they began to trade. But Pow-
hatan, finding the Captain would not lay aside
his arms, again sighed out his inquietude.

*' Capt. Smith, 1 never used any Wor^-
" wance so kindly as yourself, and yet from
" you I receive the least kindness of any.
'^ Capt. Newport gave me swords, copper,
** clothes, abed, toMtls, or what I desired ;
*' ever taking what I ofi'ered him, and ahvavs
" ready to send away his guns when I wished
" it. None durst deny to lie at my feet.
" But A ou will never descend to the least

85

" courtesy. From you I can get nothing but
" what you have no value for, and yet you will
" have whatever you demand. You call mc
" father, and yet I must seek to content you
" like your son. If, however, your intentions
*' equal your professions, send hence your
" arms, that I may believe you."

The Captain perceiving that Powhatan
was only tampering with him, sent orders for
his people in the boat to break the ice,
that they might come and load her with corn,
and take him away with his companion?.
He sent also for a reinforcement of men, that
he might the more effectually surprize his
royal host; and to divert his suspicions, he en-
tertained him with ])rofessi ns of his regard.

" Powhatan," said he, *' you must know
" that I honour but one king, and that I liv^e
" not here as your subject, but your friend.
" Let not my being armed and guarded gi\ e
" you any inquietude. It is our custom.
" Visit me with all your country for your
" guard ; I will net be jealous. Yet to shew
" yon what confidence I place in your promi-
" ses, and to calm your solicitude, I will to-
" morrow lay aside my arms. I call you fa-
" ther indeed ; and you shall see that I love

" you as a father ; but the small care you
" have for such a child, caused my men to
" persuade me to look to myself."

By this time Powhatan had secret intima-
tion that his warriors were ready to make an
attack on the English; and, while the cap-
tain was gone to the river to inspirit the en-
' ergies of his men by his presence in breaking
the ice, the savage Monarch stole away with
his queens and his daughter. I3e left some
squaws in the wigwam, to engage Smith and
his comrades in talk when they returned ;
and they had scarcely entered the wigwam
again, and begun to interrogate the women on
the subject of Powhatan's retreat, when the
Indians beset them with a terrible yell. The
captain had only with him Percy, Rolfe, Rus-
sel, Berkeley, West and the sergeant. The
indians had multiplied their numbers to thou-
sands ; yet, with his six compcmions, armed
with pistols and swords, Capt. Smith made
such a passage among the naked devils, that,
at the first shot, those who were next him,
tumbled one over another, and the rest fled
in every direction. The captain and his lit-
tle band pursued their w;^y to the boat, fir-
ing their pistols, and hacking at the indians

«5

with their swords, till they gained their
main-b^dy.

Powhatan was impatient to learn theissim
of the attack. But when he was informed
how well the captain had escaped, he sought
excuses to palliate the matter, and sent him
a great bracelet, and a chain of pearl, by an
ancient orator, who made a solemn harangue.

*' Captain Smith," said the red orator,
" our Werowance is fled, fearing your guns.
■" Knowing that when the ice was broken,
" there would come more men, — he sent
" these people to guard his corn, which might
" have been stolen without your knowledge.
*' Now though some be hurt by 3'r:ur wea-
" pons, yet Powhatan is your friend and will
" ever continue so.

It was the Captain's care now to load the
barge with c-rn, and he forced into his ser-
vice a dozen stout Indians, who bore it to
tlie water on their backs. The very sight ot*
the English cocking their muskets, and making
ready their arms, filled them with obedience.

When the barge was luaded, it was not
practicable to get her afloat before liigh v/a-
ter ; and the captain, accompanied by his f :r-
lUGi' coinpanions, returned to the Vv'igwam,

$6

lulled into a security that no further attack
was to be apprehended from Powhatan or his
people.

In the meantimePowhatan and theDutch-
men bitrnt with the desire to have the head of
Capt. Smith ; for if tliey could but kill him,
they thought their triumph would be com-
plete.

Every preparation was, therefore, made to
surprize the wigwam and him at supper. The
eldest warriors were appointed their respec-
tive posts of ambush to wage among the
English unseen destruction. No quarter was
to be given, no captives to be made ; but all
were to be tomahawked and scalped without
distinction. The awful darkness of the night
favoured the projected massacre. But the
all-seeing God employed an angel in human
shape to frustrate the horrid plot. For Po-
kahontas, in that dark night, stole from the
side of her father, and, passing through the
irksome woods, got to the wigwam ; where,
running into the arms of Capt. Smith, she
sobbed out in broken accents the grief of her
bosom: " Great cheer," said she, " will be
*^ sent you bye and bje, but my father and
-*' all the power he can make will after come

81

'* kill you all, if they that bring the supper
" cannot kill you with your own weapons
*' while you are eating it. Powhatan and his
" war-captains breathe only your destruclion.
" Their bows burn in their hands, their ar-
" rows are impatient to be on the wing, and
" their tomahawks are thirsty to drink your
" blood. Therefore, if you would live, I wish
" you presently to be gone."

None could repress their exclamations at
the soft humanity of the ludian maid. Such
necklaces and beads as the captain knew she
delighted in, he would have given her; but,
with the tears runniiig down her c'leeks, slie
replied, " I durst not accept the necklaces
" or beads, for if Pouhatan was to see rne
" with them, he would suspect I had told you
" of the plot, and in his rage he would slay
*' me." And so saying, when Capt. Smith
had tenderly embraced her, she ran away by
herself through the woods as she came.

Woman ! all heavenly woman ! thou art
every where the ornament of creation, and
the empire of compassion over thy bosom is
every where apparent. Whether in the po-
lished cities of Europe, or the rude forests of
America, thou art susceptible of the same

88

tenderness, and canst practise the same hu-
manity. , 1

In. about an hour there came eight or ten,,/
lusty felloM's, with great platters of bread and
yenison. They were very importunate for
the captain and his people to put out tlieir
matches, pretending the smoke made them
sick ; and urged them to sit down to the vic-
tuals which they had brought.

But the captain made them first taste of
every dish ; and then sent some of tiiem back
to Powhatan to " bid him make haste 3 for
he was ready for his coming,"

The party now sat down to their venison,
with their arms in readiness. Smith well
knew the value of his little band. In the
courage and bravery of Rolfe, Percy, AVest,
Russel, Berkeley and JefTrey, he could con-
fidently repose j and he considered them equi-
valent to a host of common cohjuists.

Tlioy s>pent the night with vigilance till the
time of hii^h water. Numerous messenc^ers
were sent to them by Powhatan in quick suc-
cession, under pretence of friendly enqnines.
But they found them so well prepared for an
assault, iliat their monarch judged it prudent
not to molest his v^'hite guests.

89

At high water they embarked in the barge ;
captain Smith being the last man of the party
who went on board. The mo n was gazing
at her face in the water, and the repose of
the night was disturbed only by the cry of
the Whip-poor-will.

_The Dutchmen were yet unsuspected.
They were left behmd to finish the house for
Powhatan, which was considerably advanced.

Capt. Smith, unwilling to return to James
Town with the small quantity of corn he had
obtained, steered for Opechancanough's chief
settlement on the river ; where he hoped to
barter blue beads for provisions. Opechan-
canough was only inferior to Powhatan in im-
portance. According to the Indian tradition,
he was not a native of Virginia, but came
from a distant country to the south-west, pos-
sibly from some province of the Mexican em-
pire. But as he was conspicuous for all the
qualities of highest estimation among Indians,
undaunted courage, gigantic stature, great
strength and activity of body, and crafty po-
licy, he had risen to exalted eminence and
power.

After rowing through the night, they land-
ed at the first dawn of day, at the village of

H 2

90

Ozawaw, on the opposite bank of the Pamiui-
key. The fame of captain Smith had extend-
ed to the place. It was governed by a queen,
who received him vv^ith great courtesy ; ad-
vancing to the water-side to welcome him
on shore, and followed by a retinue of her
most beautiiul Indian girls, who brought mats
under their arms for the strangers to sit down
on.

A pleasant mistake happened at their
fu'st interview. The tallest man of the party
was sergeant Jeffrey, and the Queen Sunke
Squaw imagined him to be the captain. She
began to make him an oration with charac •
teristic female volubilit}'. *' I esteem you,"
said the queen to the sergeant, " as a Wero'
'' wance not inferior either to Opechanca-
*' nough or Pov.'hatan : I rejoice to be in your
*^ company — (here the sergeant would have
interrupted the Queen, endeavouring to un-
deceive her by pointing to Caj)t. Smitii ; but
he could not restrain her) — " In war you
*' have no equal, and you know how lo shont
" the buck, or hunt up the sturdy bear. I
•* wish that some of ^ our white warriors would
" intermarry and settle with my Indian girls.
*' Then instead of stone axes, clay pots, Hint

91

" knives, and bows and arrows, we should
** have iron hatchets, copper kettles, hoes,
" swords and guns."

The Queen, after a short pause, would have
continued her oration, when her son, a youth
of seventeen, came up and scratched captain
Smith on the shoulder, whom he had visited
at James Town.

Tuscora was dressed partly in the Indian,
and partly the European costume. He wore
a blue coat that had regimental cuffs, a waist-
coat and breeches of baize : his stockings
were of yarn, one red, the other blue : some-
times he wore mocassins, but oftcner he walk-
ed in his stockingfeet : his hat was coarse, but
adorned ^\■ith an ostrich feather j and round
the crown was tied a blue worsted sash.

The Q.ueen having at length found out her
mistake, discovered some confusion. But the
captain took her kindly by the hand, and told
her with a smile that her eloauence had not
been wasted, for Jeffrey was a warrior of dis-
tinguished achievements.

In the meantime Perc}', Rolfe, West, Rus-
sel and Berkeley, had approached the Indian
damsels who composed the train of the
Qaeen, and were whispering a tale oi^ tender-

92

11 ess in their ears. They w«re half nakef; "
yet in this nakedness there was much mo-
desty.

The English youths were soon captivated
with the wild charms of the Indian nymphs.
They were of graceful stature, and well form-
ed ; their visage oval, and features regular ^
the brow high and arched ; the eye large, "
black and languishing, now rolling fire, and
now melting into softness : complexion in-
clined to an olive, but not excluding cheek
roses ; lips ripe and red, parted by smiles that
discovered teeth of unrivalled whiteness ; a
bosom formed with perfect symmetry ; the
shape exquisitely delicate, and hair of a raven
black that fell down to the hams.

1 he Queen conducted Capt, Smith and his
party to her town^ushenug them with winning
condescension into her wigwam, which tow-
ered above the rest, and was shaded with lo-
cust trees.

When they came into the wigwam, she
and her nymphs took oil the stockings of the
English, and washed their feet m warm wa-
ter ^ drying them with bunches of feathers.
They tlienregaU;d them with homony, boiled
venison and barbacued fish 3 and, as a desert.

9S

brought them melons. And thus, to borrow^
the language of the poets, the white guests
were feasted like gods, each attended by a
Hebe.

While they were feasting, several stout In-
dians came into the wigwam with their bows
and arrows, which made some of the guests
take to their arms ^ but the Queen perceiving
their distrust, ordered their bows and arrows
to be broken, and beat the men out of the
door.

The day advanced, and the captain want-
ed to depart ; but w bile he went out to give
some necessary orders to those whom he had
left in care of the boat, the English youths, se-
duced by the allurements of the Indian girls,
secreted themselves in the woods.

The captain returned to the wigwam, that
he might hasten the embarkation of his party,
before the tide ebbed any more. But he
found nobody lelt but the sergeant. Anas
Todkili, an old squaw that cooked for the wig-
wam, and a green parroquet.

This little parrot the Queen Sunke Squaw-
took peculiar delight in training and educat-
ing. On her approach, the bird expressed its
joy by shaking its head briskly several times

94

upwards and downwards ; making a slight
cracking with its bill, and displaying its ele-
gant crest. It was fond of imitating the voice
of its mistress. It not only listened with at-
tention to her words, but seemed to set itself
tasks; trying every day to retain its lesson,
and prattling even in its dreams. His fond-
ness had all the marks of close and warm at-
tachment. If she had been sometime rut of
his sight, the bird climbed with his bill and
claws to her shoulders, touching her faee with
its tongue, holding its head and raising its
wing to be scratched.

Rolfe, Percy, West, Berkeley and Russel
had disappeared ; and it was to no purpose
that the captain, assisted by the vociferations
of the sergeant and Anas, clamoured after
them in the woods.

The boat had grounded with the ebb, and
was lying high and dry, before the youths re-
turned.

*' Gentlemen," said the captain, " after
" defeating all the warriors Powhatan could
" bring against you, I find you have been
'•' subdued by the artillery of tlie charms of
" the women of this little village. There is
" more peril in their eyes, than in all the ar-

95

^' rows that your last enemy could discbarge
" from their bows. If you have any resoki-
" tiou left, and are not wholly enslaved, as-
" sist me in launching the boat ; and, when,
*' in our return down the river, we pass again
*' this village, I advise you, like the crew of
*' Ulysses, to lash yourselves to the mast."

This speech called a loud shout from the
youths, who ran with high glee towards the
boat; jumping over each others backs, or
playing at leap-frog in their way to the water
side. The captain Ib.'lowed in silent dignity,
accompanied by the sergeant and Anas ;
while the Queen and her nymphs kept pace
with them along the skirt of the wood, peep-
ing from behind the trees.

When again they got the boat afloat, and
proceeded up the Pamunkej^ they contem-
plated with a mixture of delight and admira-
tion the beautiful scenery on the banks of the
river, which diffused fertility throusfh the
country.

Nature in all its gay varieties seemed to
open her charms to deliglit the eye, and in-
terest the heart. Creeks and rivulets gliding
with a peaceful current through the land,
emptied themselves into the river ; while

96

the marshes and savannas that extended
along their borders, were disposed with
such seeming regularity, as to assume the ap-
pearance of canals cntrived with studied art.

On either bank, boundless f rests caught
the sight. The lofty oak, clad in robes of
antic[ue moss, seemed by its venerable aspect
to be the monarch of the woods ; while the
sweet cedar, the tall ever-green pine; the
fragrant hickory, the mournful cypress, and
here and there the triumphant laurel, ap-
peared in full pride j presiding over «n infi-
nity of less products that seemed to venerate
their distinguished neighbours.

The timorous deer were courting the
shade, the nimble squirrel w^as skipping from
tree to tree; and at their roots, scoured
through the brakes the wonderful opossum,
the squeaking racoon, and milHons of the
chano;eable lizard.

The mocking bird was heard from the
woods, now briskly chirping, and now melt-
ing into the softest strains ; the red bird in-
dulged his song, now and then interrupted
by the cooing '^ f the dove.

Along the broad expanse of the river the
finny I'ace sported. The shining mullet.,

97

the noble bass, the warrior stingray with his
redoubted tail ; the drum and nimble cat-fish,
alternately shot tljeir heads above the waves;
while, particularly near the shore, huge banks
of oysters appeared like rocks.
, The sun was fast declining, when they got
to the settlement of Opechancanough. It
was seen through a vista of pines, about half
a mile from the river. A cool evening suc-
ceeded a sultry day. Here and there the
lightning gleamed in the horizon. An aban-
doned wigwam stood near the landing place;
and a mocking bird, perched on its roof, was
singing and dancing to the cadence of its own
song.

This social bird is held sacred by the Indi-
ans. The female is never disturbed in her in-
cubation. She is suffered to hatch all her
eggs, and rear her little family, which ever
lives attached to its native district.

There was a' small island, in the river, op-
posite the place where they landed ; it was
covered with piues, and poplars and sassafras
trees.

They had scarcely got out of the boat,
when a black snake attracted their attention
iu the act of charming a bird. The charmer,

I

9S

?ibout six feet long, was making a small con-
tinual hissing through his nostrils j the object
pf his attentin was a cat-bird.

The biicl seemed to be in great distress,
often coming within reach of the snake, who
turned his head in ev ery direction as the bird
flew round him ; although its mate endea-
voured, by striking with its bill and wings, to
make the serpent lose his prey.

Notwithstanding all this annoyance, which
hurt the snake very much, as appeared from
his wincing, he continued his spell till the bird,
grown faint and weary, became much disor-
dered, its feathers rising loose from its body,
was seized with a tremor., settled down on its
feet within reach of the charmer, its tail and
wings being drawn forward before its head,
and its head bowed as resigned to death.

By this time the bird's mate had flown
awa}', and the snake took the victim's head
into his mouth without resistance.

Soon after the party had landed, the death
whoop resounded in the village from the men,
and the women chaunted with soft voices their
grateful song of triumph to Vo He IVah. The
smoke of a declining fire filled the wood :
agaia the singing, again the whoop was heard.

99

Oppchancanongh and his people bocl just
bunievl a prisoner, and were brini^ing aaother
to the stake.

When the captain approached the spot
with his oiFicers, he foniul the whole town as-
sembled round the dying victim, a Chickaho-
niiny Indian; who, having undergone the most
horrid tortures, was brcathirg his expiring
sigh. His arms, tied behind his back, were
bound to the war-pole ; his head hung down
on one side ; his eyes seemed starting from
their sockets j and though his pulse had ceas-
ed to beat, the women were still applying
torches of lighted pine-wood to his sides.

Opechancanough and his chief war-cap-
tains were standing round the war-pole, paint-
ed red and black. Their heads were covered
with swan-down, and they had a tuft of white
feathers fixed to the crown.

In this guise they stood, each holding the
scalp of a Chickahominy on the branch of an
ever-green pine ; singing the song of triumph,
and now and then sounding the shrill death
IVhoo IVhoop Whoop.

And now another Chickahominy was led to
the square plot of ground, where the red war-
pole fixed in the middle of it, admonished
him of his doom.

100

" Captain Smith," said Opechancanougb,
•* you eome with your people in time to be-
" hold two of our most inveterate enemies
** atone for the blood which they have spilt,
" by the tortures of fire ; and, as you are our
" friends, you will share in our joy, and join
" in our triumph."

The death-signal being made, the victim
was stripped naked, his arms were pinioned,
and a strong grape-vine was tied round his
neck, to the top of the war-pole ; allowing
him to track around about fifteen yards. Some
tough clay was fixed on his head, that the
scalp might be defended from the blazing
torches.

The devoted captive was a comely young
Chickahominy, of a noble countenance, and
admirably proportioned limbs.

Unspeakable pleasure now filled the exult-
ing croud of spectators, and the women with
lighted bundles of canes, or the heart of fat
pitch pine, made a furious onset at the victim.
Yells and whoops succeeded from the men
and boys.

The Chickahominy put on a bold austere
countenance, and bore without apparent
emotion the tortures inflicted by the burning

101

torches. He wliooped and out-braved the
eroud. He described his own martial deed*
against them, threatening their whole tribe
with the vengeance of his nation, who would
force them to eat fire in revenge of his fate,
as he liimself had often done to many of their
relations.

Fresh women now attacked him with flam-
ing torches, and the death Whoo Whoop
Whoop was uttered by the men.

When the cry had for a moment subsided,
the youth addressed the spectators : ** Ope-
" chaneanough," said he, " and you other
" men of Pamunkey, I am a noted warrior,
" and I have gained my martial preferment
** at the expeiice of your nation. But I have
" fallen into the hands of a tribe who are no-
" vices in the science of torture. I can pun
" ish myself in a manner that would fill with
** astonishment your despicable ignorant na-
" tion. Uutie me ; give me a fire-brand, and
" witness with your own eyes the constancy
" of my mind under the most exquisite tor-
" tures of my own inflicting."

This proposal, and his method of address,
appeared so exceedmgly bold and untommuu,.
La

losr

that Opechancanough assented to his re-^
quest.

Then he suddenly seized a flaming fire-
brand, and forcing his way through the gaz-
ing croud, he ran to the river. Numbers fol-
lowed him, but outstripping them all in speed,
he leaped from the high bank into the water,,
and swam to the island opposite, amidst a
shower of arrows -, swimming underneath
like an otter, and only rising to take breathe

At length he reached the island, when,
turning his hinder parts towards his enemies,
he slapped them with his hand ; and then
putting up the shrill war whoo whoop as a
last salute, he plunged again into the river and
swam to the opposite shore»

The attention of the croud was now turn-
ed to the victim they had burnt to death,,
whom they scalped and danced round their
last dance of joy.

In this dance they represented all the wild-
cat movements which they had made in
crawling to surprize him ; and their wolfish
conduct in killing him with safety.

Now they would lift up one foot, then put
it down slowly on tip-toe in a bent pasture,
looking sharply every way. Then they pro^

XOd

ceeded from free to tree, till the fanclecl ene*
my was taken by stratagem. They then
strutted about in parade. And Opeciianca-
nough harangued them with commendations
of their address ; saying, " they had not
** rushed on hke mad- men with their eyes
** shut, improvident of danger ; but wisely
" considering their bare breasts were not ar-
" row proof, had cunningly covered them«
" selves from tree to tree, and by their skilful
" conduct had ensnared the hateful enemy,
" witliout exposing their own valuable lives. *^

The same evening Opechancanough cele-
brated the arrival of Capt. Smith with great
feasting and mirth. His town was pallisadoed
round, mantled with the barks of trees, had
scaffolds like mounts, and was breasted very
formally. Of the wigwams which composed
it the smaller ones were conical like bee-hives ^
but the larger were built in an oblong form.

The captain and his officers were conduct-
ed by Opechancanough to his wigwam 3 the
rest of I lie party were quartered on his sub-
jects. His females were busied j some pound-
ing corn in mortars for homony ; some baking
bread in cakes upon the hearth ; some roast-
ing Indian com before the fire in the ear ^ and

104

others preparing a large English copper kettle
to stew a wliole buck.

Other girls brought into the wigwam a
number of baskets filled with the most de-
licious melons, and various sorts of nuts j the
chesnut, hickory, chinquopin and walnut.

When the supper was ready, a drum, made
of a skin tie d over a gourd, was beaten to give
notice to the town ; and the dishes were
brought to a large banquetting house in the
centre square, and the guests assembled tofeast
and be merry. The English sat on the right
hand of the King, and his chief warrior Nemat-
tanow immediately on his left; theotherchiefs
{.itting in rows behind. Nemattanow was
the King's minion. He was remarkable for
dressing himself up in a strange antic manner
with feathers; and hence he obtained from
the English guests the title of Jack of the
Feather.

The supper was succeeded by tobacco and
pipes. The pipe which Opechancanoiigh
smoked out of was remarkable for its orna-
ment?. The stem was two feet in length,
adorned with white feathers and a red paint-
ed scalp ; it bore a number of hierogiiphic fi-
gures delineating the war-actions and tribe of

105

its owner. Its bowl was half as large agaia
as that of an English pipe, and on both sides
of it several figures were carved with great
labour; the buffalo, the panther and the fox.
The stem was made of soft wood, and the
bowl of fine stone.

A dance !)y the women crowned the ban-
quet, and the dancers lighted their white
guests with torches to their lodgings ; liberal
to extravagance of their caresses ; crying out
*' Do you not love me ? Do you not love
"me?"

The next day captain Smith proposed to
trade with the King. But the commodities
which Opechancanough produced were so
trifling and so exorbitantly vakied, that the
captain began with him and said, " Opechan-
" canough, the professions cf your tongue are
*' shewn by your actions, to be mere deceit.
" Last year you kindly freighted my barge;
*' but y u now treacherously invite me to
** starve me and my people in the midst of
'* plenty. You are not ignorant of my wants,
" n^r am I of your abundance. Of your corn
** part I will have. It is incumbent on
** every man to keep his promise, but a
^ sacred obligation in a King. I bring

106

" forward my commodities. Here are blue
•* beads worthy the sovereign of a numerous
" people. St. Ject the most vahiable. The
" rest I will proportion in fit bargains for ^'our
" subjects."

" Capt. Smith," replied the King, " if I
** have plenty I rej ice, as it affords me the
" means of supplying you in your wants. I
** will barter with you willingly, and at your
" own price. The sun cf to-day will be soon
** drowned in the western ocean ; but when
" another rises to-morrow out of the east,
" we will again make friendly trafTic."

The next day Capt. Smith, with his fifteen
companions met the King again in his wig-
wam ; where they found a dozen Indians
newly arrived with each a large basket of
com.

" Capt. Smith," said Opecbancanough, " I
" now fulfil my promise. I have been at
** great pains to collect this corn. But as the
*' red flesh and the white flesh have buried
** the tomahawk, and smoke together out of
" the peace-pipe ; I would climb mountains,
" swim rivers, and throw myself headl:ng
" down their falls to assist you,"

107

Opechancanough was an Indian of extra-
ordinary stature. He was naked, except
about his middle -, which was covered with a
dressed deer-skin. He looked a giant in the
circle of the English. He rested on a hickory
bow, which few of the strongest of his warri-
ors could bend. On his back was a quiver
made of a deer's skin, filled with huge arrows,
headed with white stone in the shape of a
heart. When he spoke, his accents sounded
deep, and solemn and hollow, like a voice in a
vault. He had plucked his beard up by the
roots ; but, for distinction, he wore behind a
Jong coarse lock of his coal black hair.

While he was putting on a strained cheer-
fulness, and holding the captain in discourse,
Mr. Russel brought word that at least seven
hundred Indians, armed with their bows and
arrows, had encompassed the wigwam, paint-
ed for war.

In the bravest minds consternation will
sometimes gain a temporary ascendancy.
Dismay took possession of the countenances
of many, at the thought of such a multitude.
But the mind of Capt, Smith was not appall-
ed at the danger. " Gentlemen," said he,
" I am littie concerned at the number of the -

108

** -enemy. I was once assaulted by three hun-
" dFed of them, and, had it not been for an
" accident, I would have made good my way
^ amrng them all. We are now sixteen, and
** the enemy but seven hundred at the most.
** I, therefore, desire you to fight like men.
** Be not troubled. If you dare follow my
" example, and do as I wJl, I doubt not, with
" God's assistance, to extricate you from your
" present difficulty and danger." ij

The time not permitting any argument,
they all cheerfully vcwed to execute \\ hatever
be attempted, or die.

Capt. Smith then turning to the King, said
*- I perceive, Opechancanough, your pict to
" murder me, but I fear it nut. Nealieryour
** men nor mine have done each o! her any in-
*' jury, or owe one another any ill will. The
" difl'erence lies between you aiid me. Let
" us, therefore, decide it, as it becomes two
" warriors, by single combat. Let us go over
" to the island in the river, and tight it out.
" You shall have the choice and all advantage
" of weapons ; and the c<?nqueror shall be
*' the lord and master over both people." . ^

Duelling in fair and open field vvas not the
passion of the Lidian Pjince. lie, therefore,

105

endeavoured to appease the captain^s anger
and suspicion, by ordering a present of seve-
ral baskets of corn to tiie door, which he beg-
ged him to accept.

This, however, was only to draw captain
Smith out, where the bait was guarded by two
hundred men ; while thirty more lay in am-
bush behind a great tree which had fallen
across, with each his arrow notched, i-eady to
shoot.

Enraged at this treacherous conduct, Capt.
Smith seized Opechancanough, in the pre-
sence of the multitude, by his long lock of
hair j and, presenting his pistol ready cocked
to his breast, exclaimed, " Villain, I have
" discovered your treachery. But think not
** you can succeed. 1 am not now as I was
" when you pulled me out of the mud in
** Chickahominy swamp. I can protect my-
^* self and people against the wliole of your
** power. And here I spurn you like a dog
*• in the face of your tribe."

Thus he led the Kmg trembling and half
dead with fear among his people, who never
dreamt that any one would presume to treat
Iheir chief ruler with such indignity.

110

" You are now," continued the captain,
*' entirely in my power ; and the laws of war
*^ will justify me in putting you to death."

" Capt, Smith," faultered the King, " I
*' once saved your life by my authority, and
" 1 beseech you humbly to spare mine.*'

" If I spare your life," said the captain,
" it will be only on condition that you order
" your people to lay down their arms, and
" load my boat with corn."

While the menaces of the captain gave
Opechancanough great solicitude for his life,
his intrepidity of conduct filled the multitude
with awe. The King had only to make a
sign, and the Indians threw down their bows
and their arrows, and flocked to the boat with
corn on their backs.

For several hours the Indians so thronged
and wearied Capt. Smith, that he retired in-
to the wigwam to rest with three of the par-
ty ; leaving the others to trade and receive
their presents.

While they were asleep, fifty of their choice
men, armed with clubs and tomahawks, and
backed by three hundred more, pressed into
the wigwam, with an intention to murder
therh.

Ill

But Capt. Smith being waked from his
sleep by the shaking of the wigwam, grasp-
ed his sword, and assisted by Berkeley, Rolfe
and AVest, attacked the Indians with such
animation, that he beat them out of their
quarters. They then joined the party in the
open air, who guarded the King as a prison-
er. He affected much sorrow at the conduct
of his people, and made Capt. Smith a long
oration to excuse their intrusion. The rest
of the day was spent with much harmony 3
the Indians renewing their presents, and
feasting the Enghsh with their best provi-
sions.

While these things were transacting, there
happened an unlucky accident at the fort.
Capt. Smith had deputed Mr. Scrivener the
chief commander in his absence. A ship had
arrived from England, and brought him let-
ters, acquainting him with his accession to a
fortune and title by the death of his brother.
This inteiiigence not only gave him lofty
thoughts,, but abated his respect for captain
Smith. His moderation forsook him in his
sudden prosperity ; and having formed a de-
.«ire to visit Hog-Island, he could not be dis-
suaded from his purpose either by the advice

lis

of Capt. Waldo, or the expostulations of the
colonists.

Taking with him captain Waldo and Mr.
Gosnolu, together with eight others, he em-
barked in the skiff. The day was boisterous,
the boat was overloaded, and she sunk in the
river, where the whole party was drowned.

To advertise Capt. Smith of this calamity
none could be found, till a youth named
Throgmorton undertook it alone. He was
encountered with dangers and difficulties
wherever he passed. And at Werocomoco,
not finding the captain, and the Indians me-
ditating the destruction of the English, his
danger was imminent. But Pokahontas hid
him for a while, and sent those who pursued
him the contrary way. At length by her in-
tercession and extraordinary bribes and trou-
ble, in three days travel he reached the cap-
tain at Pamunkey,

Capt. Smith commended the youth for his
spirit, and bound him by oath not to reveal
the unhappy news to his company. He dis-
sembled his sorrow with the best counten-
ance he could assume. He restored Opecha-
canough to his liberty, and, the next morning,
embarking his men, proceeded down the
river.

13S

The suii which descended the preceding
night beneath the horizon like a globe of fire,
had announced a hot day j and before noon,
it was necessary to seek a cove for the b at,
where the party might find a shelter from the
heat.

It was at a little grove, near a water-fall,
the party landed from the boat ; and all
things breathing appeared to have sought re-
freshment in its shades. A confused multi-
tude of sounds filled the place. All the tu-
mult and cries of a great city seemed imitate
ed. The whistling robin animated the spot^
and hopping from stone to stone seemed to
invite them to the water-fall. The snakes
in their coils were seen in the brake ; and an
old buck was fast asleep in the trunk of a fal-
len tree.

Here they suffered the falhng tide to leave
the boat, as they were determined to halt
till the evening. Some went to work Idndling
a fire to ruast their ears of corn j others car-
ried their kegs to the head of the spring to
fill them with water , and Berkeley, West
and Tbrogmorton took their guns to try v/h^
they could kill,

K 2

114

The youths had not proceeded far from the
water-fall, when they descried a company of
wolves under some trees. They walked to-
wards them. The wolves observing their ap-
proach, sat on their hinder parts, until they
came nearly within shot of them, when they
trotted off towards the forests. They, how-
ever, soon stopped again, and looked at the
strangers. The hunters then whooped and
made a feint to pursue them ; when they se-
parated from each other, some stretching off
into the plains, and some seeking the groves
on the shore.

When the young men got to the trees, they
found the wolves had been feeding on the car-
case of a buffalo. There were a number of
vultures on the trees over the carcase, who,
as soon as the wolves ran off, settled down
upon it. They were however held in re-
straint by the bald eagle, which was hovering
above.

Proceeding forward they discovered a herd
of deer through the foliage of a thick spread^
ing grove, flouncing thoughtless and secure,.
in a large pond of water. Some were lying
down on their sides in the cool water, whiLo
others were prancing like young kids ; the

young bucks in playsome sport, with their
sharp horns hooking and spurring the others,
urging them to splash the water.

The youths cautiously approached the
grove, and levelled their pieces through the
leaves; at the first rustling they all started up
and herded together. A princely buck who
headed the party, gave the signal of depar-
ture. He bounded off, and was followed by
his retinue. But unfortunately for the chief,
Thrograorton, anticipating his motions, had
stolen to the avenue at the other side of the
grove, and as he passed him, the lucky young
hunter fired and laid him prostrate on the
green turf. His affrighted followers sprang
off at the instant, streaming away like me-
teors in every direction.

They carried away the quarters of the deer
that was killed, covering his carcase over with
branche^o protect it from the vulture, who
follows the hunter as regularly as his own
shade.

Returning back to the water-fall, their sha*-
dows grew longer. The sun was getting low.
Flocks of turkeys as they advanced, calling
upon their strolling associates, circumspectly-
retreated to the high forests, their noct urn «!
abodes.

136

The three youths had scarce got back to
the cove, when they espied a large bear quite
close to the river, whom they pressed so hard
upon with their unloaded guns, as to drive
him into the water.

At this act of the bear, they jumped into
the boat, and thought they had him secure.
They took to their oars, and coming up with
him, began to assault him. One seized the
boat-hook, another an oar, the third the tiller;
and persevered in annoying him till they
broke their weapons in pieces.

The exasperated monster now turned the
chase on the assailants, and fixing his fore-
paws on the gunwale of the boat, attempted
to get in. They did^all they could to keep
him out : one thrust the point of the broken
boat-hook into his mouth, another whooped,
and a third drew out his knife. But neither
their resistance, nor shouts could vaSiquish the
bear, who got into the boat.

A ludicrous scene followed. The youths
seemed now to contend which should be the
first to jump overboard ; and they swam, as
if for lile, towards the share 5 each imaging
to himself the bear swimming alter him, and
expecting every moment a rude embrace
from his claws.

117

The bear now master of the boat, seemed
mcUued to keep possession of it. He was so
galled with the blows they had given him,
that he made no attempt to follow them j but
when the youths had reached the shore, and
looked back at the bear, they saw him sitting
in the boat, dipping one of his paws into the
water, and washing his wounds.

The vociferations of the young hunters had
brought Captain Smith and his party to the
water-side, who witnessed the combat wuh
peals of laughter. At length sergeant Jeffrey
levelled his musket at the bear, and shot him
through the head j when his antagonists
swam off to the boat, and brought her on
shore.

The party now went diligently to work up-
on the bear, skinning him carefully, and cut-
ting up his carcase. It was a strong creature,
full grown and fatj weighing six hundred
weight.

Nothing could be more pleasant than their
passage down the river. The breeze was fair,
and the tall boat dashed wide the water, as
she glided with flowing sheets along the shore,
bearing tall forests of pine. The moon in full-
orbed glory burst up.n the sight. The vast

118

expanse of heaTen was strewed with stars.
All things seemed to respect the repose of
nature. No noise was heard but the cry of
the whip-poor-will, and no light was seen but
the glare of the fire-fly.

The company were seated round captain
Smith hi the after part of the boat. One and
all were importunate for him to relate the
history of his life. His romantic spirit, cha-
racteristic of military adventurers in that age,
they knew had achieved much glory in the
field. Ever)'^ eye was fixed on him, and watch-
ed his lips, as he consented to gratify their
wish.

A profound silence prevailing, the captain
thus began to narrate the adventures of his
early life.

" 1 was born at Willoughby, in Lincoln-
" shire, to a competent fortune, in 1579- I
" am, therefore, now in my thirtieth yedf.
" From my childhood I discovered a roving
" fancy, and delighted in the long tales of an
** old servant of my father, who had served in
" several campaigns abroad.

" When about thirteen years of age, I sold
** my books and satchel, with a view to raise
" money and go privately to sea j but the

119

" death of my father just at this time, put a
" stop to the project, and threw me into the
" hands of guardians, who endeavoured to
" check my ardour by confining me to a
" counting-house. I was bound to a mer-
" chant at Lynn, the most considerable tra-
'' der in those parts. But impatient of the
" controul of a master, and the slavery of a
" writing-desk, I gave the merchant the slip,
" and with only ten shillings in my pocket, I
** entered into the train of Mr. Peregrine
" Bertie, second son to the Lord Willoughby,
" and passed over into France.

" At Orleans, for I know not what rea-
*' son, Mr. Bertie dismissed me from his at-
" tendance, having given me money to return
" to England. But thus provided, instead of
" going immediately back, I travelled on to
" Paris, and afterwards visited the low coun-
" tries, where my unconquerable propensity
" to learn the rudiments of war, made me en-
" list as a soldier.

" A Scotch gentleman on his travels^,
*' charmed with my ardour of military emin-
" ence, obtained my discharge, and took me
" into Scotland, with a view of recommend-
" ing me to King James, as deserving a com=

HO

'' mission in his army ; but being disappoint-
" ed, I returned to Willoughby.

" One must not look for enlightened con-
" versation among merchants, whose object
" is not to enlarge their understanding, but
" increase their property. (A laugh from the
" boat's crew.) I could fmd no company in
" the town agreeable to my way of thinking,
" and retired into a wood, where I pitched
" my tent, and betook myself to the study of
" military history and tactics, diverting my-
" self at intervals with my horse and my
" lance.

"Having recovered part of an estate my fa-
♦* ther had left me, I put myself into a better
" condition than before, and set off again on
•* my travels in the winter of 1596. I was in
" my seventeenth year, active m body, and
" restless in spirit.

" My first stage was to Flanders, where,
" meeting with a Frenchman who pretended
" he was heir to a noble family, I was pre-
" vailed on to accompany him and three at-
•' tendants into France.

" In a dark night the vessel, in which we
*♦ had taken our passage, arrived at Saint Va-
" lery in Picardy ; and, by the connivance of

121

" the master, the Frenchmen w«re carried on
'^ shore with my trunks and baggage, while I
" was asleep below.

" Finding that the rascals had got out of
" my reach, and were not to be found, I went
" from port to port in search of a ship of war.
" At Dinan, it was my chance to meet with
*' one of the robbers. On looking at, and
" recognising each other, without speaking a
*' word, we both drew. I wounded my an-
" tagonist severely, and, having disarmed
" him, committed him to gaol.

" Finding the Earl of Ployer at Dinan, I
" made myself known to him, and, supplied
" by his generosity, I travelled along the
" French coast to Bayonne, and from thtnco
*' crossed over to Marseilles ; visiting and ob-
" serving every thing in my route which had
** reference to naval or military architecture.

" At Majseilles I embarked for Italy, in
** company with a rabble of pilgrims. The
** ship was forced by a storm into the harbour
** of Toul.)n, and afterwards was obliged by
" a contrarv wind t^ anchor under the little
*' island of Saint Mary, off Nice, in Savoy.
*' The bigotry of the pilgrims made them
** ascribe their bad fortune to the presence of

122

" a heretic on board. They devoutly cursed
" me, my Queen Elizabeth, and all my na-
** tion ; and protested they should never have
" fair weather while I was in the ship. At
" length the pasi^ions of these christians rose
" so high, that, in a fit of pious rage, as ma-
" ny as could lay hands on me dragged me to
■/* the gang-way, and threw me overboard.
" (Expectation raised in the faces of the
" boat's crew.)

*' When a boy I had learned to swim as a
*' necessary part of the education of a travd-
'* ler J and my skill in this useful art now sav-
" ed my life. I swam towards the little isl-
" and before me, and succeeded in reaching
*' it

" The island was uninhabited, but vessels
" were continually passing, and 1 hailed them
" with all my might. Several heard my calls
'* with the most frigid indifference 3 but, at
" length, the captain of a French rover back-
" ed his main-topsail, and sent his boat a-
" shore for me.

" The name of the captain was D'Estaing.
" He had a roving commission to cruize a-
" gainst his enemies, and was well qualified
" for the enterprize, being full of spirit, fire

123

" and experience. I entered on the quarter
" deck as a volunteer, and embraced with ea-
" gerness the opportunity to learn the duty
" of a sailor ; the captain and officers enter-
" ed readily into my views.

" We pursued our cruize in the Mechter-
" ranean, both on the Mahometan and Chris-
" tian coasts. We touched at Alexandria,
** where I inspected the Pyramids, and from
*' thence coasting the Levant, we fell in with
" a Venetian ship richly laden, and well arm-
" ed.

** We brought her to close action about
" eight in the morning, and had to engage
'* with her till noon, when, her tiller being
" shot away, we were enabled to work round
** her ; and had just taken a position nndep
** her cabin windows to rake her fore and aft,
" when she hauled down her colours.

*' The Venetian was a rich prize. i\ly
" share of prize money amounted to a thou-
" sand chequins,* which were paid me on the
" drum head of the capstern ; and at the
" Antibes I was set on shore, new moulted
" and full of feather.

* Aijout Two Thousand Dollars.

124

• ** I now made the tour of Italy, ranging all
"; its regions and principalities ^ I crossed the
*!* Adriatic, and travelled into Stiria, to the
" seat of Ferdinand Archduke of Austria.

" I here met with an Irish Jesuit who in-
" troduced me to Lord Eberspaught, Baron
*' Kizel, and other officers of distinction. My
" passion for the army was now easily grati-
" fied. Tlie Emperor was at war with the
" Turks, and I entered as a gentleman vol-
*' unteer in C.ount Meldrick's regiment.

"I had communicated to Lord Ebers-
" paught a method w hich I had invented of
" conversing at a distance by signals made of
" torches j which, being alternately shewii
" and hidden a certain number of times, de-
" signated every letter in the alphabet. First,
*' three torches w^ere shewn in a line equi-
" distant from each other, which were an-
" swered by three others in the same man-
" ner. I'hen the message being written as
'* briefly as possible, and the alphabet divid-
" ed into two parts ; the letters from A to L
" \vere signified b}'' shewing and hiding one
" light, as often as there were letters from A
" to the letter which was meant. The letters
'^ from M to Z were signified by two lights

12$

" in the same manner ; and the end of a word
" by shewing three lights. At every letter
" the light was kept stationary till the other
" party could write it down, and answer it
" by one light, which was his signal.

** I had soon an opportunity of making the
** experiment, Lird Eberspaught being be-
" sieged by the Turks in the strong town of
'* Ohmpach, was cut off from all intelli-
*' gence and hope of succour from his fiiends.

" I proposed mj'^ method of communica-
*' tion to Baron Kizel, who approved it, and
" allowed me to put it in practise. I was
** conveyed by a guard to a hill within view of
** the town, and sufficiently remote from the
" Turkish camp. At the display of the sig-
*' nal, Lord Eberspaught knew and answer-
** ed it -y and I communicated to liim this in-
" telligence, " Thursday night I will charge
" on the East ; at the alarm sally thou."
" The answer was, " I will." (Great atten*
** tion from the boat's crew.)

** Just before the attack, a great number of
" fires, by my advice, were made in another
*' quarter, which divided the attention of the
" enemy, and gave me great advantage. Fur
*' being assisted, as it was preconcerted, by
l2

126

" a sally from the town, I slew many of the
" Turks, drove others into the river, and
*' threw such succours into the town, that the
" next day the siege of Olimpach was raised,
" For this service Count Meldrick advanced
" me to the command of a company of horse
" in his regiment, consisting of two hundred
" and fifty ; and soon aftei', I was made Ser-
" geant Major of the regiment, a post only
" second to the lieutenant-coloneL

" Count Meldrick was a Transylvanian
" nobleman, and, passing with his regiment
" out of the Imperial service into that of his
*' natural Prince, Sigismund Duke of Tran-
^ sylvania, I readily accompanied him.

" The first enterprize of Prince Sigismund,
" was to recover some patrimonial estates in
" possession of the Turks; and he sat down
" with his army before the strong town of
" Regal. Our works advanced with great
" difficulty ; the Ottomans derided our slow
" approaches ; and a Turkisli officer issued
** from the town, and intimated that the Lord
** Turbisha, to divert the ladies, would fight
** any christian of the dignity of Captain in
J* single combat.

I9P7

" Many were eager for the honour of hum-'
" bhng the haughty Mussulman ; it was de-
" termmed by lot, and fell on me. Accord-
" ingly the ramparts of the town being filled
"with fair dames and men in arms, and the
" christian army drawn up in battalia ; the
" Lord Turbisha and I entered the field, each
" mounted on a white charger, and clad in
" armour.

*' The encounter began at the sound of
" hautboys and trumpets j we met horse to
" horse ; but the conflict was short, for, at
" the fu-st thrust, 1 killed the Turk with my
" lance, and bore away his head in triumph
" to General Lord M:.yzes.

" The death of the Lord Turbisha so irri-
" tated his friend Grualgo, that he sent me a
•* particular challenge. I entered the field
" with him, and it was soon apparent that his
" ability was not equal to his desire to avenge
" the death of his friend. I was a greater
" master of my arms, and management of
" my horse, than my' combatant j and, after
" a short combat, I killed Grualgo and carri-
" ed away his head.

** It was now my turn to boast, and in the
** fulness of youthful exultation, I sent a mes-

128

*• sage into the town, informing the ladies
" that, if they wished for more diversion,
" they would be welcome to my head, in ca>e
*' their third champion could lake it.

** This challenge was accepted by B-^na-
" molgro. We both closed with spirit ; my
** adversary unhorsed me, and the spectators
*' thought he would gain the victory. But
** vaulting again on my steed, I gave the
" Turk a stroke with my faulchion, which
** brought him to the ground. I then cut off
** his head, and held it up to the fair dames
** on the battlements, who gave me many eye-
" shot for the pains I had taken to amuse
" them.

** These exploits were not suffered to go
" unrewarded. I was honoured with a mili-
•* tary procession, consisting of six thousand
** men, three led horses, and bef re each a
•* Turk's head upoji a spear ; with this cere-
" mony I was conducted to tlie pavilion of
" General the Lord Moyzes, who, after em-
** bracing me, presented me with a tine horse
*' richly caparisoned, a scymitar and helfc
•* worth three thousand ducats, and acom-
•* mission oi Maji r in his regimt;nl.

129

" Our army soon after attacked Regal, and
*' took it by storm. I was among the fore-
" most that mounted the breach, and, after
" the capture of the place. Prince Sigismund
" made me a present of his picture set in gold,
" settled on me a pension of three hundred
'* ducats a year, and issued his letters patent
" of nobility, giving me three Turks* heads
" in a shield for my arms.

" The patent was admitted and recorded
" in the College of Heralds, in England, by
" Sir Henry Segar, garter king at arms ; and
" I have ever since adrpted this coat with the
" motto of Vincere est Vivere.

" It was not long after this achievement that
" I was engaged in the battle of Rotenton,
" where the Transylvanian army was defeat-
" ed by the Turks and Tartars On that fatal
" day many brave men were sk. • and nine
*' English and Scotch officers lost their lives,
" who had entered into the service from a re-
*' ligious zeal to drive the Turks out of Chris-
" tendom.

" I was severely wounded in that battle,
" and lay among the dead. But the pillagers
"perceiving life in me, and judging by the
" richness of my habit and armour that my

ISO

" ransom might be considerable, treated me
** with tenderness till my wounds were heal-
" ed, and then sold me with the other prison-
*' ers at public auction.

** I was purchased by the Bashaw Bogaf,
" a, man of immense fortune. He was en-
" amoured with a Tartarian lady at Constan-
" tinople, called Charatza Tragabigzanda.
" Nothing wins the sex more than the repu-
" tation of courage. He sent me as a present
** to the young lady, accompanied with a
" message as full oi vanity as it was void of
" truth, saying, that I was a Bohemian no-
" bleman, whom he had conquered in battle.

" When I was introduced as a slave to the
" presence of Tragabigzanda, I found before
" me a girl of nineteen, tall and elegantly
*' formed, of a fair complexion, fres^h cheeks,
** dark eyes, long dark hair flowing loose to
** her waist, and her fme forehead hung with
** natural locks.

" I was in my twenty-third year, and had
" not amiss the air of a soldier ; breathing all
*♦ the florid freshness of health, and vigour of
** that character.

" X soon discovered that the present was
*^ more acceptable to the lady than her lord

131

" intended. There was a certain confusion,
" an air of timidity, mixed with her reception
" of me, which created hopes, and cherished
" my native vanity and presumption. A
" blush of surprize and confusion flushed into
" her face ; while her eyes now sought, now
" declined the encounter of mine.

" Tragabigzanda could speak Italian, and
" in that language I informed her of my
" country and quality, together with the most
" interesting passages of my life. I acquaint-
** ed her how I had killed the three Turkish
" champions in single combat before Regal,
" in the presence of the fair dames on the
" battlements ; that in storming the place I
^* was one of the first who leaped upon the
" walls ; and that, at the battle of Rotenton,
'* after being engaged in fight the whole day,
" I lay among the dead. She heard me with
" tender sighs ; her living throne of delight
" was visibly agitated ; and more than once
** my sufferings brought a tear into her eye.
" (Lively feeling expressed in the counten-
" ances of the boat's crew.)

*' It was necessary for form-sake that I
^' should do something. My mistress set me
" to improve the walks in her garden, to

V

132

" plant their borders with more trees, and
** make their windings more intricate.

" It has always appeared to me that the first
" character of love in a woman is a diffidence
" of pleasing. One morning when Traga-
** bigzandacame into the garden, n t satisfi-
" ed with her ccmmon atth'e, she liad stuck
*' a half-blown rose in her hair, and otherwise
*' decorated her beautiful tresses. When she
*' accosted me, she threw into her voice pecu-
** liar softness ; but the declaration of her
" eyes preceded that of her tongue.

*' 1 did not lose the opp' rtunit y to sigh scme-
" thing gallant in her ear, I whispered that
" the rose in her hair was but au humble type
" of the freshness of her complexion." She
" observed to me, with a blush, that, " the
" flower much better represented the fate of
" maidens' hearts, for th^ instant it nnlock-
*' ed its bosom, it betrayed its approaching
"ruin."

" Emboldened now, 1 ventured to enter
" essentially into the merits of my cause. I
" -threw into my addresses all those easy
** graces of assurance which are so irresistible
" witli mcst women ; as my ardun* encrcas-
" ed, her disorder was more visible j and af-

!S5

•* ter some faint reluctance, and a few tender
" remonstrances, the beauteous Tragabigzan-
" da could only reprove me with inarticulate
'* breaks, and heart-fetched sighs. (An arch
" laugh from the boat's crew.)

" No connexion could \y€ more tender than
" ours was. Time only strengthened the
'* passion of the fair Tartar for me ; and in
** the fondness of her attachment, to prevent
** my being sold again, and to secure me for
*' herself, she sent me to her brother, the Ba-
^ shaw of Nalbraitz, in the country of the
" Cambrian Tartars, on the borders of the sea
" of Asoph. Plere it was concerted between
« Tragabigzanda and me that Ishould stay,
" till time should make her mistress of her-
" self, and at her own disposal,

*' The Bashaw was not a man disposed
" much to credulity. By the terms in which
** his sister wrote, he suspected her design ;
" for her pretence was that she had sent me to
" learn the language and be instructed in the
" religion of the Tartars ; but she had word-
" ed her message with such overflowing par-
" tiality, and pressed my good usage in such
" aHectionate terms, that her passion for me
" was apparent.

M

134

" The indignation of the Bashaw was rais-
" ed at the discovery he had made. Within
" an hour after my arrival I was stripped ; my
\ I '*^ head and beard were shaven, an iron collar
*' was put about my neck ; I was clothed
*^ with a coat of hair cloth, and driven to la-
*' hour among other Christian slaves.

" I had now no hope of redemption, but
" from the love of Tragabigzanda, who was
" at a great distance, and not hkely to be in-
" formed of my suflerings ; the hopeless con-
*^ dition of my fellow slaves could not allevi-
" ate my despondency.

"My employment was to thresh at a
** grange in a large field about a league from
" the house of the Bashaw j who, in his daily
" visits not only treated me with abusive lan-
" guage, but accompanied his abuse with
"■^ kicks and blows.

** My spirit naturally high, raised by the
" consciousness of Tragabigzanda's passion,
^' could ill brook this harsh usage. At last
" being one day threshing alone, the Bashaw
" came and began so to kick and spurn, and
" revile me, that, inflamed almost to mad-
^ •* ness, 1 levelled a stroke at him with my
*' threshing bat, and beat cut his brams.^ —

135

*' Then hiding liis bod)' among the straw in
*' the grange, and shutting the door; 1 filled
" a knapsack with c^rn, put on the Bashaw's
" clothesj and, mounting his horse, fled into
** the desart.

*' For three days I wandered in the deserts
*' of Circassia, ignorant of my way ^ but I
" was so fortunate as not to meet any per-
" son who migiit give information of my
*' ilight. At length I Ijappened providentially
" on the Castragan, or great road that leads
" to Aluscovy. Following this for sixteen
" days with infinite fatigue and dread, I
"arrived at Exapolis on the river Don;
" where, to defend the frontiers was a Mus-
*' covite garrison, the commander of which
** received me courteously, took off my col-
" lar, and gave me letters to the other gover-
*' nors in that region.

** I prosecuted my journey through Sibe-
" ria, Muscovy, and Transylvania, till I got
" back to my friends j receiving presents from
** many persons of distinction, amr^ng whom
" the Lady Cailamata w as a very tender be-
" nefactress.

•' At Leipsic I found my old friend and
" gracious patron Prince Sigismund, together

♦* with my Colonel Count Meld rick. I spent
" some time witii them, and at my departure
" the Frince gave me a pass, intimating the
" services I had performed, and the honours
" I had received 3 presenting me, at the same
" time,jyith fifteen hundred ducats of gold to
" repair my losses. (A smile of joy from tlie
" boat's crew.)

" Although I was now intent on returning
" to my native country, yet, being furnished
" with money, I spent some time in travel-
" hng through the principal cities of Germa-
" ny, France and Spain ; from whence, led
" by the rumour of wars, I passed over into
" Africa, and visited the Court of Morocco.

" Havin-g viewed many of the places and
" curiosities of Barbary, I at last returned
•' through France to England. I embarked
" at a French port in a large galley ; and, on
"■ the passage we fell in with two Spanish men
"of war, who engaged us desperately for
" three days; hauling off and lying to occa-
" sionally to knot their rigging.

^^ li\ England there reigned a profound
*^ peace ; and having spent some time in an
" idle aiid unea.^y state, 1 engaged in the pro-
" jcct of settling clonies in America, and
^' came to Virginia."

1^7

Every one thanked Capt. Smith for his con-
descension in narrating the history of his life,
and those who had not the watch composed
themselves to sleep.

The boat during the night had made con-
siderable progress down the river, and when
the day broke, the countenance of the coun-
try indicated they were not far from James
Town.

The still and serene sky as yet shewed to-
wards the East only an orange colour shade ;
the cat-bird was faintly warbling ; the humid
plants exhaled a delicious fragrance ; pre-
sently the horizon seemed to be in flames,
the shining luminary burst forth like a blaz-
ing fire, his brilliant face rose, and his grow-
ing rays coloured the pearly drops of dew
spread on the opening bells of the flowers.

As the face of day became brighter, the
song of the cat-bird grew stronger. This bird
is in melody only inferior to the m cking-bird,
and even exceeds him as a mimic or buffoon.
He endeavours to imitate every animal. He
does not confme himself to tlie notes of birds,
but repeats the song of the Indian man and
squaw. He succeeds even in imitating the
M 2

138

melodious and variable airs of instrumental
music.

It is quite domestic, building its nest in gar-
dens, and sheltering itself in groves near the
houses ; but it causes great trouble and vex-
ation to hens that have broods of chickens,
by imitating their distressing cries, in which
it seems to enjoy delight.. This bird is the first-
heard singing in the morning, even before the
break of day.

The chief food of the cat-bird is fruit. It
will feed on insects, but never attempts to.
take its prey on the wing.

Capt. Smith found on his return to James-
Town, that the affairs of the Colony had suf-
fered much in his absence. The only persons
whom he had left behind estimable f r their
qualities were drowned in the pinnace ; and^
the others had become insufferably slothful,
and unreasonably perverse.

They were even importunate with him to
sell their tools and iron, their swords and mus-
kets, to the Indians for provisions ; and som«
in a turbulent and clamorous manner insist-
ed upon the necessity o!" leaving the country.

This conduct in tiie Colonists raised thQ
diokr of Smith. It appeared to him an au-

T$9

dacious act of rebellion aojainst his authori--
ty ; and, calling the whole body together, he'
harangued them in a speech eloquent, ani-
mated and bold.

" Do not imagine," said he, " that I will'
" endure in you either sloth or idleness. It
"is not reasonable that a hundred should be
" supported in indolence by the labours of
" thirt}'. You who do not work shall not eat.
** Difl you ever see me idle ? Or did I ever
" claim more or better fare than my inferiors
" in station ? Has not my extraordinary al-
" lowance as President been constantly dis-
" tributed anion y; the sick ? Let not the
"slothful expect countenance from me, I will
"not tolerate in you idleness. They who do
" not exert themselves in some useful pursuit,
" shall be set beyond the river, and banished
"as drones from the fort."

The Captain having paused-a few moments,,
resumed his harangue to the Colonists.

^* If you fancy I have n t sufficient autho-*
" rity vested in me to enforce what I threaten,
** V'^u aie deceived. 1 atlvive you not to feed
** yoursehes with the vaui presumption that
" my authority is doubtful, au-l th;ir-my life
*' Will answer for yours. My letters patent

140

" will prove the contrary -, tiiey shalJ be read
** to you every week, and every one who of-
" fends may expect to be punished. I un-
" derstand that some of the new comers have
" discovered a seditious spirit, and talk of re-
" turning home. But how will the}' go ? If
*' I catch any person offering to run away
" with the boats either to England, or New-
" fbundiand, he shall have the gallows for his
" fate. I will without the least scruple give
" orders for him to be hanged."

This resolute conduct in the Captain was
not without its desired effect. By firmnesg
in the execution of his auth'^rity, and by the
force of his own example in labouring contin-
ually, he maintained sucn order in the Colony,
that though many murmured at his severity,
they all became industrious.

In the space of three months they had made
a quantity of tar, pitch and pot ashes, and
produced a sample of glai-s. As the spiing
advanced they had paid such attention to
husbandry, as to have forty or filty ades
cleared and fit fur planting; and a defach-
ment under Mr. Stcklemore had bet n sent to
the south to look for the long lusl Cv^mpviny
of Sir Walter Raleigh.

141

In the year lo84 two barks, commanded
by Philip Amaclas and Arthur BarJovv, were
sent out, under virtue of" a patent which EU-
zabeth granted Sir Walter Raleigh, to dis-
cover and take possession of any American
lands not occupied by a christian Prince.

They sailed from England April 27, 1.584.
They took their course by the Canaries and
the West India islands, and approached the
North American continent by the Gulf of
Florida. Unfortunately their chief researches
were made in that part of the Country now
known by the name of North Carolina, a
part totally destitute of commodious har-
bours..

They touched first at an island called Wo-
kocon (probably Okakoke) situated on the in-
let into Pamplicoe Sound, and then at Roa-
noke, near the mouth of Albemarle Sound.
In both islands- they had some intercourse
with the natives, whom they found to be sav-
ages, with all the characteristic qualities of
uncivilized life, bravery, aversion to labour,
hospitality, a propensity to admire, and a
willingness to exchange their rude product-
ions for English commodities, especi-ally for
iron, or. any useful metals of which they were
destitute.

142

After spending a (ew weeks in this trafBc,
and in visiting some parts of the adjacent
continent, Amadas and Barlow returned to
England with two of the natives, and gave
such splendid descriptions of the beauty of
thecountiy, the fertility of the soil, and the
mildness of the climate, that Elizabeth, de-
lighted with the idea of occupying a territo-
ry superior, so far, to the barren regions to-
wards the north hitherto visited by her sub-
jects, bestowed on it the name of Virginia;
as a memorial that this happy discovery had
been made under a virgin Queen.

Their report encouraged Raleigh to hasten
his preparations for taking possession of such
an inviting property. He fitted out asquad-
ron-cf seven small ships, under the command
of Sir Richard Grenvilie, a man of honoura-
ble birth, and of courage so undaunted as to
be conspicuous even in that gallant age. lie
touched at b^th the islands where Amadas
and Barlow had landed, and made some ex-
cursions into different parts of the continent
round Pamplicoe and Albemarle Sounds. But
as he did not advance lar enough towards the
north, to discover the nob'e bay of Chesa-
peake, he established the colony which he left

143

on the island of Rt>anoke, an incommodious
station, without any safe harbour, and almost
uninhabited.

The colony consisted of one hundred and
eighty persons, under theipoinmand of Capt.
Ralph Lane. Their chief employment dur-
ing a residence of nine months was to make
discoveries cf tiie country; but quarrelling
with the natives, and having their supplies of
provisions withdrawn by them, they were re-
duced to the utmjst distress. At this critical
period Sir Francis Drake appeared with his
fleet, returning from a successful expedition
agauist the Spaniards in the West Indies;
and finding the Colony nearly worn out with
fatigue and famine, he carried them home to
England.

A few days after Drake had departed from
Roanoke, a small bark, dispatched by Ra-
leigh with a supply of stores for the Colny,
landed at the place where the English had set-
tled ; but on finding it deserted by his coun-
trymen, they returned to England. The bark
was hardly gone, when Sir Richard Grenville
appeared with three ships. After searching
in vain for the Colony he had planted, with-
out being able to learn what had belallen it.

Tl4

lie left fifteen of his crew to keep pcssessioii
cf the island. This handful of men was soon
•destroyed by the natives.

Early in the following year Raleigh fitted
out again three siiUjps under the command of
Capt. John White, who carried thither a Co-
lony more numerous than that which had
been settled under Lane.

On their arrival in Virginia, after viewing
the face of tlic country covered with one con-
tinued forest, they discovered that they were
destitute of many things which they deemed
essentially necessary towards their subsist-
ence ; and, with one voice, requested Capt.
White to return to England, as the most like-
ly person among them to solicit, with efficacy,
the requu'ed supply.

White landed in his native country at a
most unfavourable season for tbe negociation
which he had undertaken. He found the na-
tion in universal alarm at the formidable pre-
parations of Philip 11. to invade England, and
collecting all its force to oppr^se the ileet to
whichhe had arrogantly given the nameof the
invincible Armada. Raleigh, Grenville, and
all the most zealous patrons of the new settle-
ment were called to act a distinguished part

145

ill the operations of a year equally interesting
and glorious to England. Amidst danger so
imminent, and during a contest for the hon-
our of the sovereign and the independence of
their country, it was imjipssible to attend to
a less important and remote object. The un-
fortunate Colony in Roanoke received no sup-
ply, but were left to their fate.*

It was an order from the Virginia Company
in England, that search should be made after
this unhappy Colony j and Captain Smith,
ever distinguished b}^ his humanity, aided
their views with warmth and alacrity. Not
satisfied with the expedition of Mr. Sickle-
more to learn the destiny of the unfortunate
men; he dispatched Mr. Powel and Anas
Todkill to the Mangoags, a nation of Indians
dwelling on a tributary stream to the river
of Roanoke ; furnislied with guides from
the King of the Quiyoughquohanocks, a
small Indian tribe living on the south side
of James River, about ten miles above James
Town. They pursued their journey through
a hilly country into the south west, and their

* iiakluyt— Robertson.
N

146

activity and perseverance will be remember-
ed to their advantage -, but they could ob-
tain no tidings cf the Colony, nor find a sin-
gle trace cf them left behind.

In their way back they quartered a few
'days with the King of the Quiyoughquohan-
ocks. It was a time of great drought, and
his crop of corn was unpromissing. He sent
a message by Powel and Todkiil to Captain
Smith, earnestly beseeching him to pray to his
God for rain ; for though he was yery zealous
in the worship cf iiis own Gods, yet he con-
fessed tiiat " the God of the Englishmen as
" mucii exceeded his, as their guns did his
** bows and arrows."

When Capt. Smith returned down the Pa-
munkey from the settlement of Opechanca-
nough, he landed Mr. Percy and Mr. Russel
off Werocomoco, and dispatched them to
James Town by land. The Dutchmen left
with Powhatan had formed a confederacy
with some m'^re of their countrymen at the
Fort, and the two gentlemen in their way
thither, encountered four of the confederates
pursuing the road to Werocomcco. Bat to
clear themselves from the suspicion that they
were running to the Indians, they returned
wdth the officers to the Tort.

147

The Dutch carpenters were in the mean
time impatient to learn the cause of the stay
of their brothers in vilhiiny. One of their
company', a stout young fellow, disguised like
an Indian, proceeded to Hie glass-house ^ it
stood in the woods, about a mile from the
Fort, and was the place of rendezvous for con-
certing their diabolical schemes.

Capt. Smith iiearing of this, immediately
sent some m.en to apprehend the Dutchman j
but the fellow being gone, he dispatched
twenty others after him to intercept him in
his reli^rn to Powhatan. They soon brought
him to James Town, where he was put into^
prison ; the Captain sparing his life in the
hope of regaining his confederates.

Capt. Smith, ha\ing sent all his men after
the Dutchman, returned from the glass-house
alone, armed only w ith a sword. The declin-
ing sun was shedding its golden rays over the
broad expanse of the majestic river.

As he walked forward, he met the King of
Paspahey in his way ; the largest Indian in ;
th'^se parts : he was uncommonly tall : the
calf of his leg measured three quarters of a
yard about, and all the rest of his limbs were
in proportion. k

us

Paspahey observing the Captain was armed
cnly with a sword, thought it a favourable
moment to attack him. He accosted him in
a friendly tone, and expressed his pleasure at
meeting him. The Captain looking at the
gigantic Indian somewhat sternly, bade hira
keep cfF. Finding his intentions were sus-
pected, he stopped short, and would have
sent an arrow from his bow at the Captain,
when he closed and grappled with the savage.

The gigantic savage now lifted Smith from
the ground, and bore him by mere dint of
strength into the river, with a design to drown
him. They struggled a long time in the wa-
ter ; each summoned all his force. At lenglh
the Captain got such hold of Paspahey by the
throat, that he almost strangled him ; the
colour forsook his cheeks, and his eyes rolled
wildly in the agony of pain.

The Captain was now uppermost, and,
while with one hand- he griped the King by
the throat, with the other he drew his sword^
purpo&iiig to cut oil his head ; but Paspahey
begged his hfe with such moving supplications,
crying *' Oh ! spare me, Capt. Smith I Do
" not put me to death !" that he led him whli
him to James Town..

U9-

The prisoner was put into chains, and COQ-'
fined in the Fort ; his only hope of being li-
berated hiy i)i being able to make Powhatan
send back the Dutch confederates.

No person is more im-patient of confine-
ment I Ijan an Indian. Paspahey exerted hina-
yelf to the utmost to obtain his freedom, by
dispatching frequent messengers to Powha-
tan, beseeching he would send the Dutch
eonfcderates to James Town. But the King
of Werocomoco only mode answer that " the
** Ddtchmen would not return of their own
" accord ; and that to carry them fifty miles
" on men's backs was nut practicable at that
" hot season."

la the moan time Paspahey 's Queens, chilr
dren and people came to visit him-with pre^
sents, which he liberally bestowed to make
his peace. Captain Smith was^ however, in-
flexible, and he had come to aresoluticn to
hang the prisoner, when, by the negligence of
the guard, he escaped during- the night in liis
fetters.

When the Captain heard of Paspahey's

.escape the next morning, he dispatched Capt.

West with fifty men in pursuit of the fugitive 3

but they had to encounter such a host cf

1'5D

Indians, that the troop thought only of re-
treating.

Smith feared this triumph would inspire the
Indians with confidence, if they were not
timely chastised. He therefore put himself
at the head of the fifty men, and salHed out
equipped for war ; determined to give the
enemy no rest till they were fully humbled
and subdued.

He carried terror through the country. He
burnt Paspahey's town, razed his wigwams,
destroyed his canoes, and seized his fishing
wires. In his progress down the Chickahomi-
ny he found the banks crouded with Indians,
"who braved his party to land. The Captain
accepted the challenge, and was the first to
jump on shore. But no sooner did they re-
cognize him, than they all threw down their
bows and arrows, and sued for peace. Their
orator was a comely young Indian, named
Okaning, whose discourse well deserves to be
remembered. *' Capt. Smith," said he, " the
•* King my master is present ; but he did not
" distinguish you among the Big Knives*

* A name given the English by the Indians from their
vcaring long swords.

151

" when he braved them to land. He took you
" for Capt. West, who had pursued hitn in
" war, though he had never been provoked.
'* If our King has offended you in escaping
" from prison, you ought to consider that the
•' fishes swim, the fowls fly, and the very
** beasts strive to escape the snare and line.
" Our King, therefore, who is a man, ought
" not to be blamed for following the instinct
** of nature in brutes. If you persist in your
" resolution to annoy us, every loss we sus-
** tain will affect 3'our people ; for we will
** abandon our habitations, and by settling be-
" yond your reach, you will be deprived of
" our tributes of corn and fruit. We there-
*' fore earnestly beseech you to grant us
" peace, and suffer us to enjoy our wigwams,
*' and plant our nelds in quiet and security.
" If you assure us of your friendship, we will
" trust in your word ; if you proceed in your
" revenge, we will abandon the country."

The moral character of Ca'f>t. Smith was
not only distinguished by courage, but hu-
manity J he was illustrious for that quality
which has. formed essentially the heroes of
every age. He granted peace to the Indians,
and ieit them rejoicing.

The Dutch trait rs, Adams, Volday and*
Francis, could not be recovert-d j but their
eud was such as their baseness merited.- —
Dissatisfied with their condition, they would'
have gone back to James Town, and throwri
themselves on the clemency of Capt. Smith.
But Powhatan, beinu; told by them they
would begone, made answer, " You that
" have betrayed Capt. Smith to me will cer-
" tainly not scruple to betray me to him 3"
and having sent them into a dark wigwam;
he caused his men to beat out their brains.

That supreme direction of all the Compa-
ny's operations, which the King by his charter
had reserved to himself, discouraged persons
of lank or property ih m becoming members
of a society so dependent on the arbitrary-
will of the crown. Upon a representation
of this to James,- be granted them a new
charter, with more ample privileges, lie en-
larged the boundaries of the Colony ; he
rendered the powers of the company, as a
corporation, more explicit and complete ; h*e
abolished the jurisdiction of the council re^ji-
■ dent in Virginia; he vested the government
in a council residing in London ; he grantAl
to thepioprictorsof the conipuny t^- right sf

1.5

oo

electing the persons who were to c-)mp-"se
this council, by a majority of voices ; he au-
thorised this council to establish such laws,
orders and forms of government and magis-
tracy, for the colony and plantation, as they
in their discretion should think to be fittest
for the good of the adventurers and inhabi-
tants there ; he empowered them to nomin-
ate a governor to have the administration of
affairs in the colony, and to carry their orders
nito execution. In consequence of these con-
cessions, the company having acquired the
power ( f regulating all its own transactions,
the number of proprietors increased, and a-
mong them we find the most respectable
names in the nation.

The first deed cf the new council was to
appoint Lord Delavv are governr^r and captain-
general of their C.lony in Virginia. Bat as
he could not immediately leave England, the
Council dispatched Sir Thomas Gates, Sir
George Somers, and Sir Thomas Dal ^, with
nine ships and five hundred men, women and
children. They carried with them commis-
sions by which they were empowered to su-
persede the jnrisdiction of Capt. Smith, to
proclaim* Lord Delaware governor, and, until

154

he should arrive, to take the adaiinistratioii
of aflairs into their own hands.

The fleet sailed from England in Ma)V
IG09, ^"d hy some strange policy the three
Kniglits were embarked in one ship. A vio-
lent hurricane separated their vessel from the
rest of the fleet, and stranded it on the island
of Bermudas. The other ships arrived safely
at James Town. But the fate of the three
Knights was unknown ; their commission for
new -modelling the government, and all pub-
lic papers, were supposed to be lest, togethec
with them.

In the vessels that escaped the furj'- of the
elements came the Captains Ratcliff'e and
Archer, together with several gentlemen of
bijthand fortune.

Capt. Smith being informed by his scouts
of the approach of this fleet to the coast, and
little dreaming of such a supi,>ly, suj)poscd
them at first to be Spaniards. He according-
ly put himself in! o the best posture of de-
fence that he could. He assembled his forces,
got ready his cannon, and manned the ram-
])arts. The Indians on this occasion shewed
their friendshij), and prepared with great ala-
crity to co-operate with the English j and the

155

Captain thought himself so well provided for
the reception of an enemy, that he was not
intimidated at their approach,

A host of Spaniards could not have been
more troublesome, than some of the men
these vessels vomited on the shore. Rat-
cliffe and Archer had infused such jealousies
and prejudices into the emigrants against
Capt. Smith, that they mortally hated him,
before they had seen his face. But those of
good sense and experience, when they heard
the favourable report of his old soldiers, and
witnessed the prudence and uprightness of
his action?;, were soon undeceived, and sav;*
into the malice of Ratcliffe and his faction.

The present form of government v/as, how-
ever, held to be abohshed ; a scene of the
wildest anarchy and confusion ensued ; and
Smith was troubled and perplexed how to
proceed. At first finding that his authority
was cancelled and changed, he resolved to
embark for England ; but when ha came to
reflect that his own commission could not be
legally superseded without the actual pro-
duction of another, he was determined to
assert his own rights, and act with his wont-
ed vigour.

U6

With great resolution, and at the perpe-
tual hazard of his life, he opposed the torrent
of faction aad immorality. Ratcliffe and
Archer he seized in the face of their aban-
doned and seditious CTev*^, and comnaittcd
them to prison, till he should have leisure to
bring them to a legal trial.

The better to dissipate the humours, and
break the confederacies of the malcontents,
he sent Mr. West with a hundred of them to
make a settlement at the Fails ; and Mr.
Martm with nearly the same number to Nan-
samnnd.

The Nansamonds having been reduced to
subjection and contribution, received Air.
Martin with tbe humility of vassals. Yet
such was his unreasonable jealousy and fear,
that he surprized their poor naked King, his
monuments and houses, and fortified himself
iind men on his island.

The Indians perceived his fear and distrac-
tion. They assembled in a body, and reso-
Jutely assaulting him, not only released their
King, but slew several of tlie Englisli, and
gathered and carried olT a thousand bushels
of corn J v\ hile he never once oCered to inter-
cept them, but sent to Capt. Smith for thirty

1.57

soldiers. These the Captain sent liim, and
Jeffrey, Russel, Berkeley and Percy were
part of the detachment. But he was so ill
qnalified to direct the energies of soldiers,
that the troop marched back through the
same path they went, provoked at his insuffi-
ciency. And to crown the whole, leaving his
company to their fortunes, he returned himself
to James Town.

Capt. Smith followed the other company
up to the Falls, to see them well seated. But
he was surprized in his way to meet Captaia
West returning to James Town ; that gen-
tleman had found his factious disorderly com-
pany totally ungovernable.

Captain Smith found the settlement very
inconsiderately made, in a place which was
subject to the river's inundation. To remedy
this, he immediately sent to Powhatan, and
purchased the place called Powhatan. The
terms of the agreement were, that the Eng-
lish should give him a certain quantity of
copper, and defend him against the Mana-
kins. But Capt. West's company affected
such dependance en the new commission,
that they rejected the interference of Captain
Smith with insolence and contempt.
o

158

But he was not to be intimidated by their
turbulence and Hcentiousness. He ventured
to land among them with only Jeihey, Rolfe,
Berkeley and Todliill , the ringleaders in the
mutiny he dragged to prison ; otliers he
threatened with punishment, till by their
numbers they obliged him to retreat.

In retreating with his four men from the
new settlers, of whom the better sort were
dissipated hopeless young men, and the lower
order profligate or desperate -, he was assailed
by them with stones, brickbats and every
thing they could lay hands upon.

Being thus desperately assaulted, he with
iiis four men retreated to the water-side,
where, out of the height of his courage, dis-
daining to yield liimself to such caitiffs, he
gallantly opposed the croud, calling out to
Jeffrey, Rolfe, Berkeley and Todkill, " com-
*' rades, if we are to fall, let it be fighting to
*• the last."

In the meantime the Captain of a mer-
chant brig lying in the river, witnessed the
unequal conflict through his perspective glass,
and dispatched his boat \t'itli a couple of boys
to bring off Captain Smith and I lie four men
devoted to imn. liiey made good then* em-

Io9

barkati^n ; and though there was a large boat
belonging to the new settlers, ready for
launching, yet none could summon courage
enough to pursue Capt. Smith.

An Indian Chief" came the next day on
board the brig in his canoe, and made Capt.
Smith an oration. " You promised," said
the Chief, " to defend us against the Mana-
" kins, but you have sent us for protectors
" worse enemies than the Manakins them-
** selves. They steal our corn, rob our gar-
" dens, enter our wigwams, and carry our
" wives away by force. All this we have
** borne out of love to you ; but we desire
" your pard-^n, if hereafter we defend our-
" selves, our families and dwellings."

The Captain not making an immediate re-
ply, the orator proceeded.

" As Powhatan has called in your assist-
" ance to preserve him from his enemies, we
*' now bok upon you to be a greater Wero-
" wance than he : we profess ourselves obedi-
*• ent to you : at the fu'st war-wiioop you set
" up, you shall find us eager to march through
" the war-path, and if 3'ou will lead us on
" against the rebellious English, we will fight
" for you like brothers."

160

The same day Capt. Smith sent a boat on
shore with a flag of truce to West's Fort, the
name the malcontents had called their settle-
ment 3 but finding they were not to be re-
claimed, he gave the master of the brig or-
ders to weigh his anchor, and proceed to
James Town.

In the meantime the Chief Pakankey w ent
round among his injured tribe, calling on
them to avenge the crying blood of their slain
kinsmen. He went three times round their
dark winter-house, contrary to the course of
the sun, sounding the war-whoop, singing
the war-song, and beating the drum. Then
he spoke to the listening croud with very
rapid language, short pauses, and an awful
commanding voice. " I remind you," said
he, " of the continued friendly offices you
" have done the Big Knives, but which they
" have ungratefully returned with the blood
" of your kinsman. The white paths having,
" therefore, changed their beloved colour,
*• my heart burns within me with eagerness
" to tincture them all along, and even make
" them flow over with the hateful blood of the
" Big Knives. You (hen, my kindred war-
" riors, who are not afraid of the enemies'

161

'* bullets, come and join me with cheerful
" manly hearts. I am fully convinced as
" you are all bound by the love-knot, so you
" are all ready to hazard your lives to revenge
" the blood of your countrymen. Hitherto
" the love of order, and the old religious cus'
" toms of your country, have checked your
" daring generous hearts ; but now those
" hindrances are removed. Come, then, O
" kindred warriors, at my whoop -, assemble
" and join me !"

The brig was no sooner under sail tha»
fifty Indians, headed by Pakankey, assaulted
the hundred English in their fort j the assail-
ants were naked, painted all over red and
black, and began their attack with sounding
the dreadful death whoop whoop.

The new settlers were panic-struck. They
abandoned the fort, and shut themselves up
in their huts. Hoop Hoop Ha was now joy-
fully sGimded by the red invaders ; they
brought down many of the fugitives, scalped
them, and,. having recovered their wives, re-
treated singing their song of war.

Capt, Smith, witnessing this aifair, sailed
back again to the settlement, and summoned
the people to a parley. They were affrighted
o 2

162

beyond measure at the silly assault nf the In-
dians ^ the death wh^op still rang in their
ears ; and they were glad to surrender them-
selves on any terms to bis mercy.

He exercised his authority with great judg-
ment and discretion. He sent six of the chief
offenders in chains to James Town, and the
rest to establish a settlement at Powhatan ;
a spot so pleasant and strongly fortified by na-
ture, that it obtained the name of Nonsuch.
But on his return from this new plantation,
an accident happened to him which nearly
terminated in fatal consequences. While he
was lying asleep during the night in his boat,
a spark from a fire, which had been kindled
by one of the crew, communicated to his pow-
der-bag, which blew up and tore the flesh
from his body and thighs ten or more inches
square. Awaking in surprize, and finding
himself wrapt in flames, he leaped into the
water, and was almost drowned before his
companions could recover him.

In this piteous state he arrived at James
Town, where Ratcliife and Archer were soon
to be brought to their trials ; but their guilty
consciences misgiving them, and witnessing
Captain Smith's helpless condition, they con-

16$

spired to murder him in his bed. But sleep-
ing with liis face upwards, the assassin whom
they employed had such feehngs of awe, that
he had not power to draw the trigger of his
pistol.

His old soldiers were provoked beyond en-
durance at the malice and sedition of the
conspirators ; they gained admittance to his
bed side, and importuned him to give them
only the word, and they would bring him the
heads of the boldest that had the temerity to
resist his commands.

He thanked them for their friendly warmth,
but appeased their resentment. His bodily
sufferings became more grievous, and know-
ing that his presence and activity were neces-
sary to suppress the factions in the colony^
and range the country for provisions, he was
determined to leave it ; and was carried on
board one of the ships returning to England,
where he hoped he might recover by more
skilful treatment than he could meet with in
Virginia.

It was on Michaelmas day l609jthat Capt.
Smith bade farewell to that shore, on which
he had founded a c^^lony, that was decreed in
the progress of time to become an independ-

164

ant empire, and, confederating itself with
otlier colonies, to tiold a distinguislied rank
among the nations of the earth.

He was much regretted by his few friends,
one of whom has left a character of him
which deserves to be held up to the imitation
of manlvind.

'* In all his proceedings he made justice his
" first guide, and experience the second. He
** was ever fruitful in expedients to provide
*' for the people under his command, whom
" he would never suffer to want any thing he
" either had, or could procure. He rather
" chose to lead,^ than send his soldiers into
" danger ; and upon all hazardous and fa-
" tiguing expeditions, he always shared every
" thing equally with his company, and never
" desired any of them to do or undergo any
" thing which he was not willing to do or un*
" dergo himself He hated baseness, sloth,
** pride,, and indignity, more than any danger.;^
** he would sutler want rather than borrow,
*' and starve sooner tlian not pay. He loved
** action more than words, and hated false-
*' hood and covetousness- worse than death ;
" his adventures gave life and subsistency to
" the colony, and his loss was its rum and des-
" tructiou.

165

" There are many Captains who are no
'^ soldiers -, but Capt. Smith was a soldier of
" the true old English stamp, who fought not
" for gain or empty praise, but for his couu-
" try's honour and the public good. His wit,
" courage and success in Virginia are worthy
" of eternal memory ; by the mere force of
" his virtue and courage, he awed the Indian
" Kings, and made tiiem submit and bring
" tributes.

" Yet notwithstanding such a stern and in-
" vincible resolution, there was seldom seen a
" milder or more tender heart than his was.
" He had nothing in him counterfeit or sly,
" but was open, honest and sincere ; and
" there was, perhaps, never a soldier before
" him so free from those military vices of wine,
" tobacco, debts, dice and oaths."

Mr. Percy bad also taken his passage in
one of the ships to go to England, but when
captain Smith's resolution to embark was
known, many came about the young noble-
man, and by their entreaties and persuasions
prevailed on him to stay, and take upon
himself the government. But there were
settlers up in arms calling themselves presi-
dents and counsellors, of whom several be-

166^

gan to fawn upon Smith and solicit hTm to
give up his commission to them. And after
much refusal and many bitter repulses, that
their ruin and confusion might not be attri-
buted to him, he permitted his commission
to be stolen, but could never be induced to
resign it into such vile contaminated hands.
The ship in which he embarked was,
however, detained three weeks, till his en-
emies couid write letters, and frame com-
plaints against him. The mutineers at the
falls complained that he caused the Indians
to assault them. The Dutchman whom he
had spared swore he had sent rats-bane to
poison him. Coe and Dyer, who undertook
to assassinate him, made oath they had heard
him say that if Powhatan did not give him
all his corn, he should not long enjoy his
copper crown nor his robes of royalty ;
which justified the presumption that he as-
pired at sovereignty himself. A number
concurred in charging him with a design to
reign over the whole country, by marrying
Pokahontas, to whom the scepter of Powha-
tan would remotely descend ; and hence his
extraordinary labour to bring the Indians to
subjection, and the blandishments he practi-

167

sed to conciliate the affections of the prin*
cess. In a word every thing he had uttered
either in passion, or mirth, was recollected
and stated.

It may not be uninteresting to exhibit a
picture of James Town, or rather of the Fort,
which had attained to some dignity at the
departure of Smith. A low and level lot of
ground of about half an acre on the north side
of the river was palizaded in a traiiigular
form; the south side next the river compre-
hended one hundred and forty yards ; the
west and east sides respectively a hundred.
At every angle or corner where the lines
intersected, a bulwark or watchtower was
raised, and in each bulwark was mounted a
piece of ordnance. On every side, at a pro-
portionable distance from the pallisade, was
a settled street of houses, which were so laid
out, that, each line of the angle had its street-.
In the center st-^od the market-house, store-
house, guard- house and church.

Thus was the town inclosed with a palis-
ade of planks and strong posts four feet deep
in the ground ; composed of young oaks and
walnuts. The principal gate from the town
through the palisade opened on the river ; at

168

each bulwark there was also a gate, and at
everj gate, and in the market-place, a demi-
culverin.

Such was the form of the town ; and the co-
lony under the fostering hand of its parent
and savior was not less flourishing. For the
captain left behind him three boats and four
hundred and ninety people j the harvest
newly gathered ; twenty four pieces of ord-
nance, three hundred muskets and a propor-
tionable quantity of powder and shot ; a
sufficient supply of swords and pikes : nets for
fishing, tools of all sorts, and an abundance
of apparel ; five or six hundred swine, as
many hens and chickens, some sheep and
goats ; and the Indians, their language and
habitations well known to a hundred soldiers
expert in their evolutions.

Though the breast of the lady Pokahon-
tas cherished the deepest affection for Capt.
Smith, yet such is the innate modesty of wo-
men in all countries, that her timid lipsconld
not summon resolution to tell him of her
love j though her looks and sighs developed
the conscious flame. The discernment of
Capt. Smith could not but read the passi'^n
in her eyes. Yet, like a true soldier, unwil-

169

ling to put his unhoused free condition int«
circumscription and confine, though he be-
haved to her with marked attention, he never
dropped the slightest hint about marriage.
Averse to any solemn engagement with
Pokahontas, yet conscious of her own ardour
for such an union, captain Smith devised an
expedient that could scarce fail to cure her of
her passion. He embarked privately for
England, and enjoined the colonists -as they
valued their own preservation, to represent
that he was dead ; for captain Smith knew the
mischief every woman would perpetrate who
thinks her passion scorned ; but he also re-
membered that where there was no hope
there could be no longer love ; and the breast,
which knowing him to be living, would glow
with revenge, would, on the belief of his
death, melt into the softness of sorrow. The
prqjecl of the captain was founded on an ac-
quaintance with the human heart ; for when
the Princess again, under pretence of bring-
ing provisions to James Town, gratified her
secret longing to meet her beloved English-
man, slie yielded to every bitterness of an-
guish on hearing of his death. A colonist of
the name of Wright undertook to practise the

170

deceit. He pretended to shew the afflicted
girl the grave of captaui Smith, recounting
the tender remembrance he had expressed for
her in his dying moments, and the hope he
had fondly indulged to meet her in the world
of spirits. Love is ever credulous ; but Pok-
ahontas listened to the artful tale with catholic
faith. Her affliction was unspeakable. With
deshi veiled hair, she went weeping along the
banks of the river.

Though the breast of Mr. Rolfe possessed
not the ambition of captain Smith, it was
infinitely more accessible to the softer emo-
tions. His heart felt a void without the
company of some young female with whom
he could exchange the glance of affection, and
in the paradise of whose arms he could enjoy
an oblivion of care. His imagination was
now filled with the vision of the Princess} and
his conscious heart told him he had never
witnessed in any European female, beauty-
more lovely, sensibility more tender, inno-
cence more unsuspecting, or grace more at-
tractive.

Rolfe had been bred in camps, and was in
every respect the accomplished soldier. Such
a youth would have adorned the court of an

171

European monarch. He was of a graceful
form, tall, active, with fair hair flowing down
his shoulders. His countenance was soul, his
speech exclamation. His open face and the
inquietude of his eye denoted an imagination
ever in motion, and ever sympathizing with
surrounding objects.

His supreme pleasure was now to walk by
moonlight in the restoring airs of a summer
night, and indulge in his tender paintings of
the mournful Pokahontas.

Mr. Rolfe went out to luxuriate in the en-
joyment of the wild scenery of a Virginian
wilderness, at the tranquil hour of midnight.
The weather was calm, the air soft, and the
warble of the mocking-bird was heard from
the grove. The full orbed glory of the rising
moon was obscured for awhile in the firma-
ment by a sable cloud ; and then all nature,
as if anxious for its return, appeared eloquent
in homage. And now while the moon was
concealed, the scene became more awful, the
cry of the sorrowing muckawiss was not heard,
and the gay mock-bird forgot to sing. All
was silent. Again the moon's light burst up-
on the creation, shedding lustre ©n the state-
ly columns of pines, and gilding the verdure

172

humid with dew. Again the mocking-bird
renewed her warble, the woods rang with her
melody, while its pauses were filled with the
plaints of the muckawiss. It was now the
breast of Rolfe yielded to the empire cf his
passion, and he indulged the emotions Poka-
hontas had raised in it. Her image dwelt ia
his mind, and her praises on his lips.

SONNET TO POKAHONTAS.

Where from the shore I oft have view'd the sail.

Mount on the flood, and darken in the gale,

Now wan with care, beneath the oak reclin'd,

Thy form, O Pokahontas, fills my mind.

Here from my comrades, where the moon's soft bcara.

Trembles in antic shadows on the stream ;

Here tlie sad muse, in sympathy of woe,

Assists my grief in solitude to flow.

Here where the Mocking-bird, the woods among^

Warbles with rolling note her mimic song,

And the sad Muckawiss' ill omen'd strain.

Kings from the woods, and echoes to the plain :

Here as I, pensive, wander tjirough the glade,

1 sigh and call upon my Indian maid.

It was during this midnight scene, that a
foot, wandering among the trees, disturbed
the musings of Mr. Rolfe. It was too light
to belong to a man, and his prophetic soul
told him it was the step of the princess. He

173

stole to the spot. It was she ! It was Pok-
ahontas strewhig flowers over the imaginary
grave of Capt. Smith. Overcome with terror
and surprize to be thus detected by a stran-
ger, the powers of Hfe were momentarily
suspended, and she sunk into the arms of the
glowing youth. For what rapturous mo-
ments is a lover often indebted to accident.
He clasped the Indian maid to his beating
heart, and imprinted a burning kiss on her
balm-breathing lips. Though neither joy
sparkled in her eye, nor the rose bloomed on
her cheek, yet not more beautiful looked she
in her days of careless gaiety. Pokahontas
turned to chide, but it was with heaving
sighs, and half pronounced upbraidings from
murmuring lips. The female bosom is never
more susceptible of a new passion than when
it is agitated by the remains of a former one.
She leaned towards him with emotions that
discovered tenderness rather than anger.
Her warm cheek touched his cheek, and her
lips trembledk on his. She reclined her head
upon his shoulder, and reposed in his fond as-
surances.

And now, O pliable tenderness of lovely
woman 1 no longer did the bosom of the
r2

174

young princess sigh over the ashes of Smitfif
no longer did her idolatrous fancy sanctify
his relics ! Could she hear the voice of a
passionate lover whisper in her ear the mii-
siaof his vows, and not be melted ta endu-
rance ? No ! though at first she felt repug-
nance, hi& looks, his sighs, his tender embraces,
soon quelled her fugitive terrors ; and, when
encircling with his arm her unrobed, but
pure form, he made her to comprehend that
he pressed to his heart the dearest object of
his affections j the bosom of the Indian maid
gave motion to her ebon tresses, that seemed
officious to conceal its dazzling beauties; and
though she turned aside in disorder, yet a
languishing look, half concealed under the
shadow of her long eye-lashes, discovered
what her lips witheld, that she had been
wooed by a new lover only to be won !

The day was now breaking on the summits
of the mountains in the east, the song of the
mocking-bird was become faint, and the cry
of the muckawiss was heard only at long in
tervals. Pokahontas urged to go ; but Rolfc
could scarce relinquish the bliss of rioting ia
the draught of intoxication, as he held her
in his- arms. Like a fawn who looks suspend-

175

ed to the flowers of the rose-tree, on the
side of the mountain, so did he hang on tlie
lips of his beloved.

It is only by the privation of what is valu-
able that we learn fully to appreciate it. The
colonists became soon deeply sensible of the
loss of captain Smith ; his bitterest enemies
and greatest maligners would curse their
destiny for his departure. He had shewn
himself in a long administration deserving of
his authority, by his care, labour and vigilance..
Of an ardent enterprizing spirit, and conspi-
cuous for his patience, perseverance, and in-
vincible courage, to him every eye had been,
turned by a feeble body of emigrants in their
first attempts to occupy Virginia. For in
such trying situations, the comparative pow-
ers of every individual are discovered and
called forth, and each naturally takes that
station, and assumes that ascendant, to which
he is entitled by his talents and force of
mind.

The colony at Smith's departure lost its
dignity and importance. The new comers
were little capable of the regular s.ubordina-
tion, the strict economy, and persevering in-
dustry, which their situation required. The

176

authority of Mr. Percy could not reconcile
men corrupted by anarchy to order ; all dis-
cipline was laid aside, and their necessary de-
fence neglected.

The Indians observing their misconduct,
and that no precaution was taken for suste-
nance or safety, not only witheld the sup-
plies of provisions which they were accustom-
ed to furnish, but harrassed them with con-
tinual hostilities.

The improvident colonists having lavishly
consumed the provisions brought in the last
ship from England, were obliged to depend
wholly on what captain Smith had left. But
before this stock was quite exhausted, captain
RatclifTe with thirty under him went abroad
to trade.

The fair professions of Powhatan lulled Rat-
cliffe into a fatal confidence, together with
his men, who were not less careless than
himself. At Werocomoco they dispersed
themselves in the different wigwams of the
Indians, which l^y^^ividing their force, m-ade
them no longer formidable. The whole par-
ty was slain, except Jeffery Shortridge who
escaped, and a boy named Henry Spilman,
who was saved by Pokahontas, and who liv-

177

ed many years by her intercession among tll«'
Potomacs.

The colony now not only tended fast to the
wildest anarchy, but a dreadful famine prevail-
ed.— Afraid to stir without their fortifications,
they were reduced to such extremity, as not
only to eat the most nauseous and unwhoie-
«ome roots and berries, but to feed on the bo-
dies of the Indians whom they slew, and even.
on those of their companions who sunk under
the oppression of such complicated distress*
In less than six months, of five hundred per-
sons whom Capt. Smith left in Virginia, only
sixty remained ; and these so feeble and de-
jected, that they could not have survived for
ten days, if succour had not arrived from a.
quarter whence they did not expect it.

When Gates and Summers were throwa
ashore at Bermudas, fortunately not a single
person on board their ship perished. A
considerable part of their provisions and-
stores too was saved ; and in that delightful
spot Nature, with spontaneous bounty, pre-
sented to them such a variety of her produc-
tions, that a hundred and fifty people subsist-
ed, in affluence for ten months on an uninhab-
ited island. Impatient, however, to escap©^

from a place where they were cut off from all
intercourse with mankind, they set about
building two barks with such tools and ma-
terials as they had, and by amazing efforts of
perseverance and ingenuity they finished them.

It was on the 10th of May, 1610, that
Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, and
Capt. Newport, having embarked their peo-
ple, shaped their course for Virginia, in hopes
of finding an ample compensation for all their
toils and dangers in the embraces of their
compatiions, and amidst the comforts of a
flourishing colony.

A fair gale wafted them forward. On the
19th day tbey saw the Virginian land, and
a day or two after passed between the capes
of the Chesapeake.

On Point Comfort Capt. Percy had raised
a little fortification which he called Algernon
Fort ; the captain of the oattery discharged a
a piece of ordnance at the vessels ; upon
which they came to an anchor in Hampton
Roads, and sent their boat ashore to the fort.

From thence, there being no wind, it took
them two days to tide it up the river, and
the 23d of May they anchored before James
Town.

179

Sir Thomas Gates on landing went imme-
tJiately to the church, where he caused the
beli to be rung, at which such as were able to
crawl out of their houses repaired to the
house of God.

The mind can scarcely image to itself a
more affecting spectacle than that which was
presented to the knight and his followers.
Of five hundred persons left behind by Capt.
Smith, only sixty men women and children
remained, and these emaciated with famine
And sickness, and sunk in despair, resembled
rather spectres in their figure and looks than
human beings.

Some crawled forward on sticks, some
were supported by the arms of others less fee-
ble, and some unable to obtain that assistance,
could get no further than their doors. Here
was heard the dying groan of some famished
being, and there was witnessed the mother
weeping over the babe sucking in vain at her
dry breasts.

After divine service the new governor caus-
his commission to be read, when captain Per-
cy delivered up to him the old patent and
council seal. The governor and his officers
then examined the place. They found the pa-

rso

lisades of the fort torn down, 'the ports open,
and the gates off their hinges. The empty
dwellings of the dead were rent tip and burnt;
for the survivors were afraid to step into the
woods a stone's cast to fetch other fuel : and
it is true that the Indians killed the English
as fast without, if they stirred but beyond the
bounds of the block-house^ as disease and fa-
mine within.

In this desolation and misery, Sir Thomas
Gates found the colony. His own stock of
provisions was nearly exhausted, and he con-
templated instantly to abandon a country
where it was deemed impossible to subsist
any longer. He, therefore, made the colony
a speech that declared his intention. " My
friends," said the knight, "I need not enlarge
" on your calamities and sufferings, or the
" anguish with which we viewed this unex-
" pected scene of distress. What provision
" I have brought hither shall be equally shar-
" ed among all ; but as only misery awaits
** us in these savage regions, I will make rea-
" dy without delay to transport you to your
** native country."

That every man images to himself happi-
ness in his own land which no other territory

181

can yield him, will I fancy not be disputed ;
but how much is his native soil endeared to
him by misery in another. A feeble shout of
joy was heard from some of the wretched
settlers at this speech of the governor j their
haggard faces put on smiles, and they implo-
red blessings from heaven on their deliverer.
In the mean time a code of regulations was
draw^n up, and pasted to a post in the church.

Sir Thomas next called a council to debate
whether it was more expedient to make in-
cursions amon*? the Indians in order to recruit
their provisions, or embark with their present
hard and scanty stock.

Capt. Newport objected to having any
intercourse with the Indians. " I know,"
said he, *' the savages ; they are formidable
** in numbers, versed in stratagem, tenacious
*' of resentment, and jealous of strangers.
** Let us embark without delay. It were
** madness to court the blow of the murdering
" tomahawk."

The colonists were assembled in the mar-
ket place, seated on benches in the open air.

RoJfe rose. " I would propose," said the
youtkj " not only to levy contributions oa
Q

182

*' the Indians but to keep possession of the
" country."

" To order !" cried the governor.

" Sir Thomas, hear me," continued Rolfe.
" At a time when this fort could only supply
" twelve men able to bear aims, I have
" knovi^n the greatest kings of Virginia trib-
" utary to the colonists, and live in reverence
" and dread of the English name. We are
" now a hundred strong, and shall we dis-
" grace the English flag by leaving in a panic
" an enemy that would fly at the sight of an
" old rusty musket }

" At the time you allude to," said Capt.
West " the colony was a thousand strong."

" Explain yourself," said Rolfe.

" Why was not Capt. Smith alone," said
West, " equivalent to a thousand men."

" He was arbitrary and cruel," said New-
port.

" He was brave," cried West, " I have
'*' known him venture with fifteen men where
" you would not trust yourself with five hun-
" dred."

" He made me the instrument," said
Newport, " to save his life. When he was
" a captive with Powhatan, did he not en-

183

" chant the souls of the poor Indians by
" demonstrating the roundness of the world,
" the cause of the day and night, the large-
" ness of the sea, the quahties of our ships,
** shot and powder, together with the divi-
" sions of the universe, the diversity of people,
** their complexions, customs and conditions.
" All which he feigned to be under my com-
" mand, and by a happy fortune, so exactly
" prophesied the time of my arrival, that they
** esteemed him an oracle. It was by these
" fictions he saved his own life, and obtained
" his liberty."

*' I look upon you, Capt. Newport," said

Rolfe " to be the source of all our woes.

'* When you sailed home, you returned Pow-

** hatan twenty swords for twenty turkies

" which he sent you. Ever after he coveted

" our arms, and considered them his due.

" You had scarcely sailed when he sent Capt.

" Smith the like luggage, but not finding his

** humour obeyed in having weapons given

" him, he caused his people with a hundred

" devices to obtain them ; suprising us at our

" work, and even taking them by force at our

" very ports. The meek part of the colo-

" nists bore this ; keeping their houses. At

1S4

*^ length they had the insolence to meddltf
" with a hoe belonging to Capt. Smith, wha
" gave them such an encounter as they will
*' remember the longest day they have to live.
" Without further deliberation he hunted
" them up and down the island j some he
" terrified with horse-whipping, some with a
" sound beating, others with imprisonment.
*' Powhatan fled to arms, and collected his
" warriors. He surprised two foraging dis-
" orderly soldiers, and marching up to the
" fort, boldly threatened at our ports to force
" Capt. Smith to deliver up seven Indians
" whom for their villanies he had detained
" prisoners. But to try their fury, in less
" than half an hour he so hampered their in-
*' solencies, that Powhatan himself narrowly
" escaped being taken, and h e sent the two
" soldiers back without any farther composi-
** tion for his captives, desiring peace on any
" terms."

" Very brave all this," said Newport.

" Brave Sir!" said sergeant Jeffery, " the
" very name of Capt. Smith was sufficient to
" affright them. I heard Powhatan myself
" once say that, let but a twig break and my
" greatest warriors cry out " there comei
« Capt. Smith."

185

" To order !" exclaipied Sir Thomas Gates.

" Had it pleased God," said Mrs. Forest,
" to have continued captain Smith to us, I
*' should not now be motherless and a widow.
" My daughter would not have died of hun-
" ger, nor my husband of a broken heart.'*

" Be comforted, madam," said the Gover-
nor.

" Oh, sir !" continued the lady, " he was
"such a fine gentleman, and such a good
" christian. He would put the hand of Poka-
" hontas into my daughter's and say with a
*' grateful smile. When the doom of death
*' was pronounced by my enemy, and, when
" led to the place of execution, my head was
** already bowed down to receive the fatal
** blow ; this tender girl rushed in between
" me and the executioner, and by her entrea-
" ties and tears made the savage heart of her
** father relent. I have been her instructor
" in the English language ; be you her in-
**structress of the word of God. Read to
" her the bible.... teach her the christian reli-
" gi^n ; she has an eager desire to know it,
" and a ca[iacity to learn."

*' Gentlemen," said the governor, " it is
" necessary we should come to a speedy de-
q2

186

" termination ; let, then, those who wish to
" stay beliind declare themselves."

" I do," said Rolfe. " And I," said Throg-
morton.

" Peace, boy," said the governor.

" I do" exclaimed Russel. « And I,"
«* cried West. " I do," said Berkeley. " And
" I," cried Todkill. « I do," exclaimed Ser^
geant Jeffrey. " I am a soldier. I have
** always served his majesty faithfully. God
'' save the king ! I will not now disgrace
" the rank of sergeant in his army, by flying
" from savages. I have no dread of Powhatan
" If the governor will give me six men with
" twelve rounds each of ball cartridge, I wiH
** march to Werocomoco, and run my bayo-
" net through his body. I will not leave the
" country. I should be ashamed to meet
" Capt. Smith in London, after running away
" with my iron musket on my shoulder from
*^ the hickory bow of an Indian .^ I am a sol-
*•' dier. God save the king !"

The next day arrangements were made for
the departure of the many and the more cer-
tain security of the few. The four captains,
the youth Throgmorton, Sergeant Jeffrey
and Todkill, betook themselves to Algernon

187

fort at Point Comfort ; determined rather to
subsist on what fish they catched in their
boat, than abandon the country.

Sir Thomas Gates and his people went to
work at the fort. They buried the ordnance
at the fort-gate which looked into the river ;
and, at the beat of drum, every man, woman
and child repaired to the boats, which carri-
ed them on board the barks. The Governor
was the last who left the shore, in order to
save the town from being set on fire, which
some of the intemperate had threatened.

About noon the vessels lifted their anchors
and made sail, giving a last farewell to their
settlement with a peal of shot. Instantly
above a hundred Indians, who had watched
their motions, took possession of the fort, and
leaping upon the battlements, saluted the
flying Enghsh with the cry of Hoop Hoop Ha !
This insolent exultation inflamed the ancer
of the English, and Newport let fly a piece
of ordnance at them 5 upon which they all
fell sprawling on the battlements, some crawl-
ing one way, some another.

As the vessels passed Algernon Fort, they
gave the voluntary exiles three cheers ; but
these gentlemen made no other answer than

188

hoisting the English colours with the union
downwards.

That evening Rolfe and Throgmorton had
the watch at the fort. The silver crescent of
the night had risen above the waves.

" Rolfe," said Throgmorton, as they leant
together over the battlements, " is it not a
" more tender passion than the love of jour
" country that keeps you here ? Is not Poka-
" hontas a sorceress ; and does she not make
** you feel the potency of her spells ?"

" AYhat makes you ask that," said Rolfe.
" Because," said Throgmorton, " I stay here
** myself out of pure affection."

" For whom," cried Rolfe.

*' I will tell you," said Throgmorton.
*' When old Scrivener was drowned in the
** pinnace, none but I could be found to pass
" through the woods to acquaint Capt. Smith
" with the disaster. Not suspecting any hos-
" tile disposition on the part of the Indians, I
" was surprized when I got to Werocomoco
" to see a chief walking round his winter
** house, and hear him call to a large croud,
** shall we suffer our nation which in former
" times was so great a terror to all the tribes
"that they could not endure our sight, to be

189

"so reproached to our great disgrace that'
" the white flesh shall assail us by war evea
" in our own wigwams ? Then clapping his
^" shoulders and buttocks with his hands, he
" exclaimed Erima, Erima, Tououpinam-
" baults, Conomiouassou Tan ! Tan ! that is
to say, " my countrymen, and most valiant
" young men, let us not rest quiet till we
" take the scalps of all the whites in our coun-
" try."

" At this moment I appeared before them.
" Their indignation was undescribable. They
** broke out into such loud howling and ex-
" clamation that their clamour pierced the
" air. Powhatan was sitting among them,
" encouraging the orators. He ordered his
" bowmen to bring me before him, and de-
" manded sternly the cause of my coming.
" I asked for Capt. Smith. " Take him away,"
" said the old savage, " to the wigwam of
" death."

** I was put into a separate wigwam,
" strongly barricaded, and seated on a mat
" before a fire ♦ the only furniture was a sa-
" crificing stone and a couple of clubs. Two
" centinels stood at the door ; they every half
" hour halloed, shaking their fingers be-

190

'* tween t^eir lips to give more horror to the
*' sound.

" About midnight the door opened ; I ex-
" pected my hour was come. But instead of
*' executioners, Pokahontas entered, leading a
" girl two years younger than herself, and,
" if possible, more interesting. Pokahontas
** told me she had bribed the guard to secrecy,
" and had brought her sister to accompany
*' me on the road to Pamunkey, whither
" Capt. Smith was gone ^ that there was not
" a moment to be lost, and that I must in-
" stantly depart.

" I fell at her feet ; she raised me with
** tears of kindness, and Watoga putting her
" hands into mine, hurried me away through
*' the woods.

" "We travelled forward together unpursu-
" ed, for Pokahontas had sent my pursuers
" a contrary way. As the day advanced I
" naturally directed my eyes to my conduc-
" tress i she was naked in all but a slight
" garment that reached from her waist to her
" knees, yet in this state of nature, there was
" such a sweetness and soft simplicity diffused
" through her every look and gesture, as would
" have disarmed the most determined votary

191

*' to vice, and turned him into a protector
" of her virtue. With what a command of
" beauty did she not attract me. Sixteen
"was her utmost, but to the charms of six-
*' teen nature had joined her whole sum of
" treasures. Her jet black hair was so long
** that she could wind it round her waist ;
'* all ornaments would have been lost on her,
*•' for what blaze of jewels could have tempt-
** ed away my gaze from that of her eyes ?
" Her shape was symmetry itself, and it was
" not possible to behold in any girl a more
'^ delicate loot, a finer arm, or a more beau-
« tiful bosom."

"Did not the journey fatigue your con-
'• ductress," said Rolfe. " Fear must have gi-
"" ven you wings. Could she keep pace with
" your flight."

" She could run faster than a doe," said
Throsrmorton. " And she was full of antics,
" Sometimes she would affect that my pursu'
" ers had overtaken us, and, letting go my
" hand, she would bound forward out of sight;
" and then popping out upon me from be-
" hind a tree, as I advanced, she would run
" into my arms with an arch loud laugh."

1^2

** How did she cross the runs," said RoIfe>
** She could swim," rephed Thrqgmortoiv,
" like a young otter. The first run we reach^
" ed was mighty bread and deep ; it was the
" time of the great freshes. On coming to
" the run, she paused and gave me her hand .
*' Then with a charming grace she raised her
" robe with the other : discovering her beau-
*' tiful hmbs, she entered the stream ; her bo-
*' dy was gently inclined, and she looked for
" the safest way : the water grew deeper, her
" step was more and more timid : I knew not
" what to do -y " Here Watoga ," said I, " we
" must separate." " Not yet," cried she.
" And so saying, she plunged into the stream
** and swam to the opposite side, graceful in
" her motions as a sea-born Venus."

The two vessels in which Sir Thomas Gates
had embarked the colonists, fell down frrst
to Hog Island. The morning tide brought
them to Mulberry Island, from whence, a
breeze springing up, they shaped their course
out of the bay. But they had scarcely passed
Point Comfort, and taken a last farewell of the
shore with three loud cheers, when they dis-
covered a long boat making towards them.
A thousand surmises were made on its ap-

193

pearance. They found the boat belonged to
a fleet of ships under the direction of Lord
Delaware, who had got within the capes,
and had brought a large recruit of provisions,
a considerable number of new settlers, and
«very thing requisite for defence or cultiva-
tion.

The officer of the boat was Capt. Bruster,
'who having presented a letter from his Lord-
ship to Sir Thomas Gates, the knight bore
tip his helm with an easterly wind, and the
colonists returned to their abandoned fort.

The Lord Delaware landed at the south
gate of the pallisade, which looked into the
river, when he caused his men in arms to
stand in order, and form a guard : Ensign
Phittiplace bore the colours. His Lordship
then fell upon his knees, and, before all the
soldiers, made a long and silent prayer to him-
self. He then marched up into the town,
where, at the gate, ensign Phittiplace bowed
■with the colours, and let them fall at his
Lordship's feet : he then heard a sermon
from Mr. Rock, his chaplain ^ and afterwards
told Mr. Anthony Scot to read his commis-
sion to the people assembled, which entitled
him Lord Governor and Captain-General

during his life, of the colony and plantation
in Virginia.

His Lordship's commission being read. Sir
Thomas Gates dehvered up to him his own
commission, both Patents, and the Council
Sealj when, his Lordship, rising from his seat,
thus addressed the company, who all stood
up to hear him.

" Colonists, while I condemn you for your
" past pride, vanity and sloth, I fondly hope
" you will mend your ways. On future de-
** linquents I shall be compelled to draw the
" sword of justice ; but I solemnly assure
" you I would much rather unsheathe it in
" your defence."

The Lord Governor proceeded next to
constitute and give places of office to his fol-
lowers ; and elected a council to whom he
administered an oath joined with the oath of
allegiance and supremacy to his majesty.
The council which his Lordship elected were
Sir Thomas Gates, Knight, Lieutenant Gen-
eral ; Sir George Somers, Knight, Admiral ;
George Percy, Fort Captain ; Sir Ferdinand
Weinman, Knight, Master of the Ordnance ;
Christopher Newport, Vice Admiral ; AVil- ■
liam Stacy, Esq. Secretary and Recorder.

J95

He also nominated Capt. John Martin,
Master of the Battery works, and Capt.
George Webb, Sergeant Major of the fort.
His Lordship appointed Capt. Edward Brus-
ter to the command of his own company ,
and elected to other companies Capt. Tho-
mas Lawson, Capt. Thomas Holcroft and
Captain George Culpepper. He constituted
likewise civil ofTicers. Ralph Hamer and
William Brown were made clerks of the
council; Robert Wild and Daniel Tucker
clerks of the store.

The provisions brought by his Lordship,
however plentiful for his own company, were
not sufficient for the whole colony. He had
been informed that the hogs left on the islasid
of Bermudas had multiplied their numbers,
and he dispatched captain Argall in a bark for
a supply ; but being forced back in a violent
tempest, his voyage was altered, and the Lord
Governor sent him up the Potomac river to
trade for corn. He there found the English
boy, Henry Spilman, whom Pokahontas had
preserved from the fury of Powhatan. He
was a young gentleman well descended, and,
by his intercession captain Argall freighted his
vessel with corn. He made Japazaws, the

m

king of the Potomacs, some trifling presents,,
and took back the youth with him to James
Town.

A party of the colonists were now employ-
ed in building two forts at Kicquotan ^ one
was called Fort Henry, the other Fort
Charles. They were designed for the recep-
tion of the sick from England, and were well
calculated by their wholesome situation to
restore the dibilitated. They stood on a
pleasant plain near a stream, which they
named Southampton River ; and the neigh-
bouring land abounded with wood, pasture
and marsh.

But the erecting of these batteries was on-
ly a secondary object ; the chief care of the
Lord Governor was to obtain what provi-
sions the country afforded.

Powhatan, since the departure of Capt.
Smith, had practised every baseness to aug-
ment the calamities of the colonists. He had
not only destroyed thebreed of hogs that had
run wild in the woods ; but chased away all
the deer into the further part of the country.
With whatever indignation the Lord Gov-
ernor heard of these proceedings in the savage
monarcbj^ be s,tUl wished rathqr to win back

197

his friendship by courtesy, than force him to
subjection by arms. But his outrages became
so flagrant that forbearance could no longer
be observed.

Sir Thomas Gates coming down to Point
Comfort, discovered the long boat belonging
to Algernon Fort, drifting over to the other
shore upon Nansamond side, not far from
Weroscoick. To recover the boat a man
named Humphrey Blunt went after it in an
old canoe, but a strong north wind prevailing,
he was driven upon the strand, where thirty
Indians lay in ambush, who seized him, led
him into the woods, and tomahawked him.

This outrage provoked his lordship to take
up arms against the Indians; and he dis-
patched Mr. Stacy (not a soldier by profes-
sion) with sixty men. to assault the town of
Kecoughtan..

The king of the place fled at the approach
of the English,. leaving behind only his women
and children, and his treasury ; which was
composed of a few baskets of old Indian corn,
a few peas and beans, a little tobacco, and se-
veral womens girdles made of grass silk.
Into this poor village, abandoned by all but

defenceless women and children, marched the
r2-

new soldiers, beating their drums and vowing
revenge. They burnt the deserted wigwams,
and, regardless of that principle of humanity
which regulates hostility among civilized na-
tions and sets bounds to its rage, they ran
their bayonets into the breasts of the women
and children. So much was the gorernment
already altered from the clemency which dis-
tinguished Capt. Smith's administration, who
so far from permitting his men to shed the
blood of the Indians, made them restitution
ftnd satisfaction for their losses and damages.

This summary conduct did not, however,
constrain the insolence of Powhatan ; the
departure of Capt. Smith had deprived him of
his moderation. He made all his under prin*
ces enter into a confederacy to barrass the
English i if a straggler was caught beyond the
fort he was carried prisoner to Werocomoco -,
and his agents put in practice the art of steal-
ing with such success, that he collected into
his treasury above two hundred swords, a
number of muskets^^ besides axes, pole-axes,
chisels and hoes.

The Lord Governor was, however, still
willing to act leniently towards the Indian
znonarcbj and he sent Capt. Percy and Mr,

199

Hamer to him as ambassaders, to remonstrate
with him on his outrages.

Powhatan received them on his wooden
throne, dressed in the scarlet suit, and wear-
ing on his head the copper crown, which the
Virginian company had sent him. His court
was numerously attended by the chief warri-
ors throughout the country, and he had aug-
mented the number of his young squaw con-
cubines.

He demanded sternly the message of Capt.
Percy*

" My Lord Governor," said Capt. Percy,
" has sent me to acquaint you with the
" outrages practised against the English not
'^ only abroad, but at the fort. Yet flattering
" himself that these mischiefs were not con-
" trived by you, who are so wise and great a
" king, but by your bad and disorderly sub-
" jects i his Lordship, thus presuming on your
" wisdom and magnanimity, desires you will
** give an universal order to your people to
'f refrain from their outrages.

" It is the sincere wish of the Lord Gover-
*^ nor that the knot of friendship should be
*^* again tied between the white and the red
** flesh. Yet should your subjects persist hx

soo

" harrassing the unoffending English with
" their hostilities, he will be compelled to
" draw his sword, and let loose the thunder of
" his artillery.

" A party of your men have lately assault-
" ed our settlers at the block-house, and killed
" and scalped four; seven they carried away
" prisoners, together with a quantity of mus*
" kets swords and other weapons. My Lord
" the Governor desires you will bring the
" offenders to condign punishment, restore
" the captives, and send back the stolen arms.
" These conditions performed, his Lordship
" will enter into a treaty of amity with you,
" as a friend to King James and his subjects.
" But refusing to submit to these demands,
" his Lordship will vindicate with svv'ord and
" fire the honour of the King his master, to
" whom even you, Powhatan, have formerly
" vowed not only friendship but homage 3
" receiving from his majesty many gifts, and
" upon your knees a crown and scepter, the
" symbols of civil state and christian sove-
" reignty."

This speech the savage prince heard with
profound gravity, and haughtily replied in the
following words :

201

" Tell your Lord Governor and his people
" that I bid them either to depart my king-
" dom, or confine themselves to James
" Town ; and acquaint him that if I hear of
" any of them searching further up into my
•* land, the inhabitants by my command shall
" make them pay for their insolence with their
" lives. And I forewarn you Capt. Percy,
" and your fellow ambassador, not to return
** hither any more, unless you bring me a
" coach and four horses. I understand by my
" Indians who have been in England, that
" such is the state of the great Werowances,
" and that the Lords in England ride about
" in their houses."*

After this interview, the crafty monarch
would send every day three or four of his In-
dians to James Town, in order to ascertain
the strength of the English, how they stood in
health, and what numbers were arrived with
the new Werowance. But his Lordship de-
tecting their motives, warned them at their
peril to come no more to the fort.

The climate of Virginia did not agree with
Lord Delaware ; it brought upon his frame,
not naturally vigorous, a complication of dis-

* Purchas,

202

orders. He was assailed by the ague, and the
flux, and the cramp, and the gout, and the
scurvy. In these extremities he called a
council of his physicians and friends, who sig-
nified it to be their opinion that death would
necessarily ensue should his Lordship abide
twenty days more in Virginia ^ and he was
prevailed upon by them to exchange an
uncultivated region destitute of every accom-
modation to which he had been accustomed,
and where only toil and trouble, and danger
awaited him, for the comforts of polished so-
ciety in his own country.

After honouring James Town nine months
with administering its government, he shipped
himself on the 28th. of March 161 1, for his
native land, with Capt. Argall and Doctor
Bohun J and on his passage touched at the
Western Islands, where his Lordship met
with great relief from oranges and lemons, a
sovereign remedy for his complaints. He had
already dispatched home Sir Thomas Gates
and Sir George Somers, and he now commit-
ted the government to the honourable Mr.
Percy.

He was soon superceded by the arrival of
Sir Thomas Dale (May 10, 1611) with three

20^

tall ships, several hundred emigrants and a
supply of cattle. He found the colonists re-
lapsing into their former indolence. They
had neglected the cultivation of their corn,
and were playing at bowls in the street.

His first care was to employ the colony in
planting corn at the two forts at Kicquotan,
and the season not being fully past, they had
an indifferent crop. Others he busied in.
felling the trees of the forest, and repairing
the houses ready to fall on the heads of their
owners. He examined James River up to
the falls, and pitched on a spot for a new town,
on the narrow of Farrar's Island, in Varina
Neck j it was a commanding eminence almost
environed by the main river.

The company had vested more absolute
authority in Sir Thomas Dale than in any of
his predecessors, empowering him to rule by
martial law ; a short code of which, founded
on the practice of the armies in the Low
Countries, the most rigid military school at
that time in Europe, they sent out with him.

This system of government is so violent
and arbitrary, that even the Spaniards them-
selves had not ventured to introduce it into
their settlements 3 for among them, as soon

^4

as a plantation began, and the arts of peace
succeeded to the operations of war, the juris-
diction of the civil magistrate was uniformly
established.

But however unconstitutional or oppressive
this may appear, it was adopted by the advice
of Sir Francis Bacon, the most enlightened
philosopher, and one of the most eminent
lawyers of the age. The company, well ac-
quainted with the inefficacy of every method
which they had hitherto employed for re-
straining the unruly mutinous spirits which
they had to govern, eagerly adapted a plan
that had the sanction of such high authority to
recommend it,*

This summary mode of military punish-
ment was exercised by Sir Thomas Dale with
exemplary rigour. Sergeant Jeffery was de-
tected in a conspiracy to subvert the govern-
ment, and met with immediate punisbment»

He had served long as a soldier both in
Ireland and the Netherlands, and was made
sergeant of Capt. Smith's company on his
first landing in Virginia. He had conciliated
the esteem of that gallant chief, who had

* SUth. Robertson.

205

been heard to declare that he never knew in
Virginia a more able soldier, less turbulent,
of better understanding, more hardy and in-
dustrious, or more forward to restrain the
discontented and worthless from abandoning
the colony. We have ever witnessed him
with captain Smith sharing his enterprizes,
dangers and fatiojues. But from whatever
cause his discontents arose, whether he re-
sented his being neglected and unrewarded,
and having others put over his head ; or whe-
ther there was any other cause of dissatisfac-
tion, the end of this brave man was lamenta-
ble. For being convicted of a plot against
the government, he was hanged in the mar-
ket place, in the presence of the multitude....
Thus died a soldier of the true English stuff,

by the hands of the common hangman

Peace to his manes ! And, reader! if your
breast possesses any of that feeling which
catches fire at the recital of the deeds of a gal-
lant soldier ; or, if you are a soldier yourself
....tread lightly over his grave !

In the beginning of August, Sir Thomas
Gates arrived at James Town, with six ships,
three hundred emigrants, and a supply of
provisions, stores and ammunition,
s

S06

The authority of Sir Thomas Dale was su-
perseded by the arrival oi Sir Thomas Gates,
and he had now leisure to carry into execu-
tion his darling scheme of establishing a town
on Farrar's island. A church and houses
rose en the land where the Indian had be-
fore constructed his wigwam, and Mr. Rock
the preacher, in utter neglect of the divine
injunction not to lay up treasures on earth,
secured to himself a fair parsonage with a
hundred acres of land, and rigorously exact-
ed his tithes from the planters. The new
town was called Henrico, in compliment to
Prince Henry ; its ruins are still plainly to be
traced and distinguished.

The regular form which the colony now
began to assume, induced the king to issue a
new charter for the encouragement of the ad-
venturers, by which he not only confirmed all
their former privileges, and prolonged the
term of exemption from payment of duties on
the commodities exported by them, but grant-
ed more extensive property, as well as more
ample jurisdiction. All the islands lying
within three hundred leagues of the coast
were annexed to the province of Virginia.
In consequence of this the compan}^ tcok

207

possession of Bermudas, and the other small
islands discovered by Gates and Siimiiiers,
and at the same time prepared to send a con-
siderable reinforcement to the colony at
James Town. The expence of those extra-
ordinary eftbris was defrayed by the profits
of a lottery, which amounted to nearly thirty
thousand pounds. This expedient they w ere
authorized to employ by their new charter j
and it is remarkable, as the first instance, in
the English history, of any public counte-
nance given to this pernicious scdacmgmode
of levying money. But the house of com-
mons, which towards the close of this reign
began to observe every measure of govern-
ment with jealous attention, having remon-
strated against the institution as unconstitu-
tional and impolitic, James recalled the li-
cense under the sanction of which it had been
established.*

About this period, two ships under the
command of captain Argall, arrived at James
Town, with four score emigrants, and a sup-
ply of provisions. But these provisions were
not sufficient to answer the demands of the

* Slith. Chalmers, Robert5on.

208

colonists, who had so considerably muhiplied

their numbers by frequent emigrations

Capt. Ar:2,all was ordered by the governor
to proceed in his ship up the Potomac, and
trade with Japazaws for corn.

In this voyage he procured from the friend-
ly Potomacs eleven hundred bushels of corn ;
but a richer freight for his ship was the ob-
taining of Poknhontas.

Hard by the Potomac Pokahontas lay con-
cealed, thinking herself safe, and the place of
her retreat unknown to all but Rolfe. What
was the reason of her absconding from We-
rocomcco, is not easy to guess ; unless it
was to withdraw herself from being a witness
of the frequent butcheries of the English,
whose folly and rashness after Smith's de-
parture put it out of her power to save
them.

Argall being privately acquainted by some
Indians that Pokahontas was in the neigh-
bourhood, was resolved to get possession of
her by any stratagem which he could de-
vise ; knowing that in random for her Pow-
hatan would release the Englishmen whom
he had made prisoners, and restore the wea-
pons he had stolen. He thought of gaining

Q09

over the king of Potomac by bribes, and liiak*
him the instrument of putting the princess
into his power.

Japazaws had his price. Wheii Argall
first broke the matter to him, he alleged that
were he to undertake the business, Powhatan
would make war upon him and his people ;
but when the captain exhibited before him a
number of presents, and among other things
a large copper-kettle, the savage prince was
so captivated with its lustre, that he agreed
to betray Pokahontas into his hands for the
shining utensil.

The princess had seen and been in many
ships, yet the savage king caused his wife to-
feign how desirous she was to go on board
the one that was lying in the Potomac ^ and
ishe grew so importunate that he beat her till
she wept. But at length affecting to relent,
he permitted her to go on board on the con-
dition that Pokahontas accompanied her^^ and
thus they betrayed the unsuspecting girl oft
board the ship where they were all regaled in.
the cabin.

Japazaws trod often on the captain's toe
to remind him that he had done his part.„.^
The captain, watching an opportunity ^ per-

210

suaded Pokahontas to visit the gun-room, af^
fecting to have some conference with Japa-
zaws, which was only to clear him of any
suspicion that he was accessary to her capti-
vity. So sending for the poor girl again, he
told her before her friends that she must go
with him to compound peace between the
Enghsh and her father ; upon which Japa-
izavvs and his wife began to howl and cry, and
and were set on shore with the copper-kettle,
while the weeping Pokahontas was carried
away in the ship.

The wind being unfavorable up James Ri-
ver, the ship came to an anchor, and Capt.
Argall landed with Pokahontas and a few of
his crew, to proceed on foot to the fort.

It was at the early dawn of day that they
landed. The moon was losing her pale
light in the beams of the majestic globe of
fire, which began to diffuse its lustre over the
creation . The stars in the west still retain-
ed a partial brightness, but those in the ze-
nith and to the east, shared the fate of the
cfueen of night. Over the broad expanse of
the river, the mists of night hovered, and the
waves rolled in darkness. At length the sun
broke in unclouded majesty over the sum-

211

mits of the distant mountains, and all nature
began to assume animation.

The fine eyes of Pokahontas were raised
towards heaven. Her physiognomy was full
of grace, and her lips, parted by such a smile
as angels wear, seemed to utter in secret the
devotion of her breast.

As the sky lightened in the east, the wild
turkey-cocks began to salute each other from
the tops of the trees. The forests rang with
their cry, and the echoes multiplied it along
the banks of the river , the watch word be-
ing caught and repeated by these social birds
for a considerable tract of country. As the
sun appeared above the horizon, their crow-
ing gradually ceased, and they alighted on
the ground.

Argall crawled undiscovered behind a flock
of turkey hens, of which he shot one. The
rest took to their wings, and perched on the
nearest tree. He loaded and shot two more
in succession. He might have killed the whole
flock. For while they see any men, they ne-
ver quit the tree they have once perched on.
Shooting does not dislodge them, as they on-
ly look at the bird that drops, and set up a
timorous cry as he falls.

Hit

Proceeding forward along the banks of the
river, they passed the ruins of an Indian vil-
age, where the inhabitants had been slaugh-
tered, and the huts razed to the ground, by
the cruel policy of Powhatan. Indeed one
hut had escaped the general demolition. But
it was over-run with weeds, and the fox was
looking out of the window.

Pokahontas witnessed the scene with pain-
ful emotions ; her melting eyes indicated the
passing thought of tender sorrow

Here the road forked, and their way lay
through a path on the left, which brought
them to a small river. On its bank they en-
camped to dine, and kindled a fire to dress
their turkey.

It was an open spot. But before them was
a forest of tall trees, and from tree to tree the
long moss extended, waved by the noon-tide
breeze. The steady breezes gently and con-
tinually rising and falling, filled the high lone-
some forests with an awful reverential harmo-
ny, inexpressibly sublime, and not to be en-
joyed any where but in those native wild In-
dian regions.

They dined on the river's bank, and after
their repose, Capt. Argall would needs have

2lS

Pokahontas sing a song. Whereupon she
sang a touching passage out of one of the
psalms. " By the rivers of Babylon there we
" sat down. Yea, we wept, when we re-
" membered Zion. For they that carried
" us away captive, required of us a song ; and
" they that wasted us, required of us mirth."
The citing of this passage was peculiarly ap-
propriate ; and the Indian maid warbled it
so divinely that her heart seemed in heaven.

Towards evening they again approached
James River, a little before the sun descend-
ed beneath the waves. There was a boat
at some distance on the water. Capt. Ar-
gall fired his piece, and the people rowed to
the spot. It was Rolfe with some compa-
nions fishing.

Rolfe ran to Pokahontas, who threw her-
self into his arms, though not without tears
that seemed to chide him as being privj' to
her captivity. He denied being accessary
to the act, and, as he strained her beauties
to his breast, assured her he was incapable of
such baseness.

Pokahontas walked forward, leaning on
the arm of Rolfe ; but her eyes before the
croud declined his impassioned gaze. Soft-

214

ness is almost ever the distinguishing quality
of love, arising, perhaps, from its feeling that
it must depend on the will of another ibr its
gratification.

And now the houses at James Town rose
to the view. A light breeze blew up the ri-
ver, and the line of the horizon was broken
by the white sail at a distance, which had got
up her anchor, and was standing towards the
settlement.

No object can be conceived more noble
than a large ship under sail. But a mind
capable of speculation beholds it with a dif-
ferent eye to that of a sailor. By a princi-
ple of association the enterprize, hardihood
and endurance of man are offered for medita-
tion ; together with the intercourse between
remote nations effected by a frail bark, and
the necessary consequence of the enlarge-
ment of the knowledge of life and nature.

The evening had been fair, but, scarcely
was the sun sunk beneath the waves when
there came on a heavy storm of thunder and
lightning. Vivid flashes of lightning darted
among the trees, and awful peals of thunder
resounded from the forests. At length a
dark cloud that broke over the heads of the

215

partyj seemed to pour down a torrent of the
etherialfire, and the peal ofthunder that suc-
ceeded it made the banks of the river trem-
ble. The steps of the party were suspended,
and Pokahontas clung affrighted to Rolfe, as
if seeking the protection of her lover. Man
hears the bursting thunder, views the destruc-
tive bolt with serene aspect, and stands erect
amidst the fearful majesty of the streaming
clouds. Woman trembles at the lightning
and the voice of distant thunder, and shrinks
into herself, or sinks into the arms of man.

On the arrival of the party at James
Town, a messenger was immediately dispatch-
ed to Powhatan, acquainting him of the cap-
tivity of his daughter Pokahontas, whom he
loved so dearly, and whom he must ransom
with the English that he had so treacherous-
ly surprized, and the swords which he had
stolen. This unwelcome intelligence greatly
disquieted Powhatan, for he loved both his
daughter, and the weapons which he had ob-
tained. It was a month before he returned
any answer. Then he sent back the seven
English prisoners with each an unserviceable
musket, and informed the governor that
" when he should deliver him his daughter, he

216

'^ would make full satisfaction for all injuries,
" give him five hundred bushels of corn, and
" be the friend of the English forever."

To this message from the Indian monarch
the governor sent answer, " that he cculd
** not believe the rest of the muskets and
" swords were either lost or stolen from him ;
" and that therefore he would keep his daugh-
" ter till he made up the deficiency." But
this answer displeasd him so much that Sir
Thomas Dale heard no more from him.

At length the Knight embarked in Capt.
Argall's ship with a hundred and fifty of the
colonists, and sailed up York River to We-
rocomoco ; he took with him Pokahontas
whom he and Mr. Rolfe had soothed to com-
placency. Sir Thomas had behaved to her
with respectful hospitality, and Rolfe had
manifested towards her all the attention of a
passionate lover.

Indeed the mutual passion that subsisted
between the young Englishman and the In-
dian maid could not but be apparent to the
colonists. At night they betook themselves
to the bank of the river, where, in a seques-
tered spot, they could mingle and exchange
the vows of unfeigned affection. The water-

217

fall, the woods, the constellations of the hea-
vens, received by turns the sacred deposit of
their soft protestations. The water-fall that
HBOOthed them with its murmur, the verdure
under their feet, the air which they breath-
ed, the tree under which they reclined, all
became consecrated in the eyes of these
lovers.

On dropping their anchor in the river, the
Indians crouded to the shore, and demanded
the cause of their coming. Sir Thomas made
answer, that he came to deliver Po,\hataii
his daughter, p rovided he would restore the
English their muskets, swords and tools, and
load his ship with corn for the injuries he had
done them : if he would do this, the English
would be his friends; if not, they would burn
all his towns.

An Indian named Uttamaccomac stepped
forward to reply. lie was tall and well
formed, his countenance lofty, and at the
same time perfectly characteristic of the red
men 3 the brow ferocious, and the eye active,
piercing, fiery as an eagle's. He had some
deer's hair coloured red, and tied in a rose a-
bout his knot of hair. His body was painted
over wtih vermillion, his face blue j about

T

218

his neck was a chain of beads, and in either
ear a bird's claw.

Leaning forward on his bow, the chief
made answer, " Our great king is a day's
*' j' urney from us. We demand, tiierefore,
" time to send to liim."

The next day an Indian came running to
the water side and said that Powhatan beino-

o

gone on a hunting expedition, he had deliver-
ed the message to Opechancannugb, who
would call a council to deliberate about arivinq;
up the guns, swords, and tools for Pokahontas.
They now weighed their anchor and stood
up the river. The sun was approaching its
meridian. A light breeze distending the can-
vass, enabled the tall ship to sail gently along

the shore, covered with awful forests

" Steady !" was called by the captain, and
repeated by the helmsman, while the echoes
multiplied the sound on the land. Every
person had come on deck. The Indian prin-
cess was reclining against the quarter-rail,
surrounded by Sir Thomas, and the captains
West, Percy, Holcroft, Rolfe, kc. Captain
Argall was pacing the deck, conning the ship
by some point of land, and either repeating
"Steady so I Steady a-long!" or calling

219

" Starboard a little ! Mind your starboard
"helm!"

Here and there the magnificent pine fo-
rests opening their vistas, discovered to the
ravished eye meadowb purpled with straw
berries, flocks of tinkles strolling about, and
herds of deer v\antonly prancing. Compan-
ies of young Indian girls were also seen, some
busy gathering the rich fragrant fruit, and
others, havmg already filled their baskets, re-
clining under the shade of the weeping wil-
low. The nimble cat-fish sometimes jump-
ed above the water, while the fish hawk ho-
vered over the surface watching its prey.

As the ship advanced, Uttamaccomac hold-
ing his bow in his hand, ran along the shore
followed by a hundred or more Indians, and
called peremptorily to know whither she was
going. Sir Thomas Dale replied, " to burn
'* all if Powhatan refused to comply with his
" demands." Soon after a great shouting
was heard, and Opechancanough, Paspahey^
and Pawhunt, came through the woods to-
wards the shore, and joining Uttamaccomac,
invited the English to land.

Upon this, captain Argall clued up his sails,
let go his anchor, and ordered the barge to

220

be manned. Sir Thomas gave his hand to
Pokahontas, and, assisted by Rolfe, conduct-
ed her down the ship's side into the boat; the
captains Percy, West, Holcroft, Brustcr,
and Webb followed ; the boatswain piped as
they descended the ladder, tlie marines stood
with rested arm^, a piece of ordnance was
fired, and the boat rowed to the siiore.

When they landed, the Indian chiefs made
a doleful noise, and laid their faces to the
ground, scratching the earth with their nails.
Opechancanough then addressed Sir Thomas
Dale, making an unpleasant noise, and ut-
tering bis speech with a vehement action

The substance of his oration was to desire
Sir Thomas Dale would call him friend, and
that he might call him so ; adding, that " he
*' was a great captain, and did always fight ;
" that Sir Thomas was also a great captain,
" and therefore he loved him ; and that his
" friends should be Sir Thomas's friends."

" A great captain, and very fond of fight-
" ing, truly 1" said Russel to West, " when
" we both saw Capt. Smith take the puissant
" Opechanccinough by the long lock of his
" head, and with his pistol at his breast make

" him sue for his life in the midst of his^
♦' people !"

" Tliat was a bold action," cried Capt,
Holcroft, " not exceeded by Pizarro when
" he seized Atabalipa in the presence of his
" court."

" Most noble 1" exclaimed Capt, Hol-
croft. " In future ages when these wilds
" shall be the residence of civilized society,
" when the statuary shall give life to the
*' niarble where the savasje now hews a rude
** figure on the rock j then shall the father of
*' Virginia have a statue raised to his memo-
" ry, and the brave kneeling at his feet, apos-
*' trophize tl>e spirit that animated the origi-
« nal."

" And will there not be another statue
" raised," cried Rolfe, ** to the memory of
" the girl who now abandons her virgin hand
** to my pressure ? shall not this form, these
" features, this hair, be emulated by the chisel
" of the sculptor j and will he not fmd it at
'* once his admiration and despair .?*"

Pokahontas hid her face in the bosom of
Rjlfe. Her airy garment, winding in grace-
ful folds about her shape and knees, floated
beiiiud her> while her line jet black hair^^,
t2.

222

which feli down to her waist, was waved by
the breeze of noon.

" If there exists," continued the enamoured
young Englishman " a spirit, as some suppose,.
** in the waving of these woods ; or if there
" be hfe in the leaping torrent ; both were
" conscious and could proclaim, how often
" she saved Capt. Smith from falling treach-
" erously by hands that would have trembled
" to oppose him in fair and equal combat."

Sir Thomas Dale having desired Capt.
Bruster to make his men fall into their ranks,
imposed silence, and asked Opechancanough
whether Powhatan was willing to ransom
Pokahontas for the swords and axes he had
stolen,

Opechancanough consulted a few minutes
with Uttamaccomac, Paspahey and Paw-
hunt, when they all advanced to Pokahontas,
as if desirous to commune with her. But Po-
kahontas turned from them, and would not
hear either. At length directing an angry
look to Pawhunt, she said, ** if my father
" had loved me, he would not have valued
" me less than old swords and axes ; where-
" fore I will still dwell with the English^
" who do love me."

223

She then gave her hand to Rolfe, who,
pressing it to his lips, led her to the boat.
The chiefs and their Indians pressed forward
to detain her, but Capt. Holcroft drew his
sword and made them desist.

When Pokahontas was taken on board
the ship. Sir Thomas Dale told the Indian
chiefs they should have a truce granted them
till noon the next day ; but then, if they did
not answer his demands, or if he found them
disposed for fight, they should know when the
English would begin, by the sound of their
drums and trumpets.

To this proposal the chiefs agreed, and
seated themselves on the grass indiscriminate-
ly with the English officers. Behind an al-
most impenetrable forest kept the eye from
ranging, before them the tall ship lay anchor- .
ed in the river.

Capt. Webb having a target which a pis--
tol shot could not penetrate, hung it up to a
tree, in order that an Indian might shoot at it.

Uttamaccomac took from the quiver on
his back an arrow about an ell long, and
drawing it strongly from his bow, shot the
target through more than a foot. Capt. Per-
cy, observing the force of bis bow, set him up-

S^4

«.

a steel target ; he shot agaiii, and broke hi*
arrow all to pieces. He presently pulled out
another arrow, bit it in his teeth, and seem-
ed to be in a great rage ; it shared the fate
of the former : he raised a diabolical whoop,
and went off into the woods.

Uttamaccomac's bow was made of tough
hasel ; the string was of leather, and his ar-
rows of cane or hasel headed with sharp
stones.

The boat returned with a dinner under
covers. Opechancanough and Pawhunt din-
ed with the Governor and his officers. Ope-
chancanough was much at a loss, for he had
never made use of a fork before : therefore, he
looked at the English very attentively, in or-
der to imitate their way of eafing. Paw-
hunt had not the same patience ; he took
the breast and back-bone of a turkey, and
broke it with his fingers, saying, the master
of life had made them before the knives and
forks were made.

When Uttamaccomac joined again the
party, Sir Thomas presented him a bottle
that had some rum in it.

He^melt the bottle s'^me mrments, and
then took a draught. He gasped for a conr

225

siderable time, and, as soon as he recovered
his breath, said Hah! and then began to
stroak his throat with his right liand.

The Indians wondered, the English laugh-
ed. He approached Sir Thomas, and scratch-
ing him on the back, said, " your heart is ho-
" nest, I thank you ; for this strong water
" is good to my heart, and makes it greatly
*' ty rejoice.

At this juncture a great noise of voices
was heard from the woods, and Nantaquas
was seen advancing i^ith several Indians, and
among others his two little brothers Nimat
and Ilakky.

Sir Thomas received Nantaquas and his
brothers with marked attention ; but the lit-
tle boys beheld the English soldiers with tear
and trembling, and clung to Nantaquas.

AVhen grown more familiar, Hakky would
lift up the flaps of the Governor's pockets,
and unbutton and button his regimental coat
with profound curiosity. He made a tug at
his buttons which he greatly coveted.

After some mutual salutations, Nantaquas
harrani2;ued the Governor. " Let me ad-
" dress you," said the youth, " and open your
" ears to hear me." He then sat down ou
the ground, leaning his face on his hands.

226

"Speak freely," said Sir Thomas, "you
" need fear nothing."

Nantaquas rose and said, " I do speak free-
" ly, what should I fear ? 1 am now among
"my friends, and I never was afraid even
" among my enemies. I will speak freely.

" The King, my father, has authorised me
*' to tell you, that within fifteen days all your
** guns, swords and tools shall be sent to
" James Town. He wishes to remove all ob-
" structions to a good understanding be-
" tween the two nations. His daughter shall
" be your child, and ever dwell with you."

Here the prince was interrupted by a
shout of joy from the English.

" This," resumed the prince, " is a present
" from Powhatan, in confirmation of what
" he bade me communicate. Accept this
*• bufialo's skin. It is lined with the head
" and feathers of an eagle. Accept it be-
" cause the eagle signifies speed, and the
" buffalo strength. The English are as swift
" as the bird and as strong as the beast ; for
** like the first they have flown from the ut-
" most parts of the earth over the vast seas ;
" and like the second nothing can withstand
" them. The feathers of the eagle are soft

227

'* and denote love ; the skin of the buffalo is
" warm and signifies pro'cctiojt. Therefore
'* Powhatan liopes you will iove and protect
" his people."

This discourse was delivered with a firm
tone of voice, grace, dignity, and the most
majestic deportment ; the governor in reply
spoke as f Jlows :

" I receive the token of friendship sent
^ me by tlie king your father, with great
" kindness and affection ; and, in proof that
V I am glad to see you and your ambassa-
^' dors here as our brethren, I present you
'^ with a belt of wampum."

AVhen Sir Thomas had finished his reply,
the Indians gave the yo-hah, and the En-
glish fired a volley.

Nant aquas, together with his two bro-
thers, were now conducted in the barge to
the ship. Rolfe stood with Pokahontas on
the quarter-deck to receive them.

Nantaquas expressed considerable joy to
find his sister well, but Nimat and Hakky
seemed not to notice her; their attention
was wholly engrossed by the ship, her masts,
sails and rigging.

2^8

Sir Thomas Dale now embarked bis peo-
ple, and permitted Nantaquas to accompa-
ny him in the ship to James Town.

Captain Argall sent men up aloft to loose
the sails, manned his capstern bars, hove the
anchor up to his bows, cast the ship, and got
her trimmed upon a wind. In. tall pride
she made a stretch over to the opposite
shore. The water shoaled. " By the mark
" five !" sang the leadsman in the chains.
" Heave quick !" cried Capt. Argall. " By
** the deep four !" sang the tar. " Ready
" about 1" cried the captain. " Come aft to
" the weather main-brace. Down with the
*' helm. Hard a lee ! fore sheet there ! fore
" top bowline ! jib and fore top-mast stay-
" sail sheets let go ! You Cook you, Cuffey 1
*' stick out that fore-sheet," &c &c.

When the ship got into the Bay, the wind
was no longer contrary ; with flowing sheets
they sailed up James River to the Fort.

Within the promised fifteen days, Powha-
tan restored to the colony, the muskets,
swords and tools which his people had stolen
from the English.

The ransom being paid, the princess was
at liberty to return to Werocomoco ; but

22§

love was not to be defrauded of his prerogative.
Mr. Rolfe warmly solicited Pokahontas to
accept of him as a husband. The amiable
girl hid her face in the bosom of her lover.
Nantaquas urged the suit , and when Rolfe
took the hand of Pokahontas, and with a look
of inexpressible anxiety and tenderness re-
peated his entreaties, the Indian maid was
melted into softness, and with blushing timid-
ity consented to become his wife.

Sir Thomas Dale encouraged the alliance,
and a messenger Vv'as dispatched to obtain the
consent of Powhatan.

The Indian monarch did not withhold his
consent, but adhering to the resolution he had
made never to put himself into the power of
the English, he sent Pawhunt, Opitchapan,
and Uttamaccomac to be present at the
marriage.

Rolfe now held his princess in his arms in
the deep bosom of awful forests^ and the pre-
sence of the Lord of nature. Nuptial pomp
worthy of the delicacy and purity of their
love. Sacredly private was the first inter-
course of their mutual fondness. Superb fo-
rests, towering cypresses, venerable oaks, state-
ly pines waving the long moss floating from

V

230

your branches, mountains on whose summits
repose the hoveringclouds ; rivers obstructed
by cataracts and rolUng in sdent majesty your
streams ; expanded and subHme nature ! you
alone were conscious of the conjugal endear-
ments of the youthful pair.

About this period an important change
was made in the state of the colony. Hither-
to no right of private property in land had
been established. The fields that were clear-
ed had been cultivated by the joint labour of
the colonists ; their product was carried to the
common storehouse, and distributed weekly
to every family, according to its number and
exigencies. A society, destitute of the first
advantage resulting from social union, was
not formed to prosper. Industry, when not
excited by the idea of property in what w as
acquired in its own efforts, made no vigorous
lexertion. The head had no inducement to
contrive, nor the hand to labour. The idle
and improvident trusted entirely to what was
issued from the common store ; and the assi-
jiuity even of the sober and attentive relaxed,
>vhen they perceived that others were to reap
the fruit of their toil. In order to remedy
this, Sir Thomas Dale divided a considerable

231

portion of the land into small lots, and grant-
ed one of these to each individual in full pro-
perty.

From the moment that industry had the
certain prospect of a recompence, it advanced
with rapid progress. Such schemes of im-
provement were formed as prepared the way
for the introduction of opulence into the
colony. Tlie culture of tobacco, which has
since become the sUple of \'lrginia, and the
source of its prosperity, was made an object
of primarj^ attention ; and by two events,
whicli happened nearly at the sanie time,
both population and industry were grtatly
promoted. A considerable number of young
women, of humble birth indeed, but of unex-
ceptionable character, were sent out by the
company. These new companions were re-
ceived with affectionate hospitality ; not one
wanted a husband long ; and by degrees
thoughtless adventurers assuming the senti-
ments of virtuous citizens and of provident
fathers of families, became solicitous about the
prosperity of a country, which they now con-
sidered as their own. As the colonists too
began to form more extensive plans of indus-
try, they were imcxpectedly furnished with

252

the means of executing them with greater
facility. A clutch ship from the coast of
Guinea, having sailed up James River, sold
a part of her cargo of negroes to the plant-
ers j* and as that hardy race was found more
capable of enduring fatigue under a sultry
climate than EuropeanSj their number has
been increased by contmual importation.

"While Mr. Rolfe was enjoying the calm
pleasures of domestic life with his amiable
Indian bride, Mr. Throgmortr n was not less
enamoured of her sister. He unbosomed
himself to Sir Thomas Dale, and expressed
his desire to imitate the example of Mr.
Rolfe.

Sir Thomas, conscious there was no surer
method of conciliating the affection of the
Indians than by incorporating with them by
marriage, commended the passion of the
youthful lover ; and flattered his vanity by
offering to send a train of ambassadors to
Powhatan in order to pr pose him as a hus-
band to Watoga.

Such an embassy never before passed
through the woods of Virginia. The chief

»i ■ II I II "*

• Slilh. Beverly. Kobertson.

Q33

ambassador was Capt. West. The captain
and the youthful lover were each mounted
on a handsome blood horse, with housings of
panthers* skins: they were respectively dress-
ed in the full yue uniform of light-horsemen,
having their sabres hanging at their thighs.

A troop of twelve gentlemen volunteers
accompanied them, clad in scarlet and arm-
ed with light fusees, who called themselves
sharp shooters ; and Nantaquas, who was on
a visit at James Town, served as a guide.

The young prince had put on his holiday
suit. Over his Indian dress he wore a vvliite
shirt with a red collar, adorned with innume-
rable broaches. On his head was a reu^imcn-
tal hat, laced with gold, which Cap'. Smith,
having left off, had presented him. His vi-
gorous muscular limbs were bare, save that
he wore on his feet mocassins made of deer-
skin, and ornamented at the quarters with
small pieces of brass and tin, and fastened
wath leather strings, which made an odd
jingling when he walked or ran. His jet
black, stifFlauk and strong hair, fell back, to •
distinguish his birth, in a single lock. .

Mr. Rock the chaplain to the colony, who

had married Pokahontas to Rolfe, composed .
V, a.

234

one of the party, to join Watoga and Throg-
morton in the bands of holy wedlock. He
was a grave personage of fifty, but erect in
stature and firm in his walk. The weather
being warm, he had thrown aside his coat
and waistcoat, and put on his cassock. He
was much venerated by the savage Indians j
for eloquent, subtle and of invincible assur-
ance, he had persuaded them there was no
man like parson Rock in the world.

Those presents likely to conciliate Powha-
tan, and bewitch the bosom of his daughter,
were put on the back of a led horse; and a
white dog was also taken to be tendered to
the Indian monarch. This dog was greatly
caressed by Nantaquas, who mimicked his
bark with such nice precision, as surprized the
dog, and amused the English.

When the party was ready to set forward,
the young prince was missing. An Indian
is never in great haste in travelling, for he.
seems every where at home in the forests.
He seldom, forsakes his sleeping place very
early ; eating a hearty meal before he starts,
and examining his clothes which often wants,
mending. This is very troublesome to Eu-
ropeans, who are straightened for time, or^

235

wish to be soon at their journey's: end ; and
yet it is best to let him have his own wviy, as
an Indian is very apt to grow sulky, and his
assistance as a guide is essentially necessary,
but when he has once started, he will seldom
stop till the sun sets.

The troop being drawn up on parade,
Capt. West mustered his men ; and it is a
kind of moral obligation to record their
names.

" Russel ! here ! Berkely ! here ! Ran-
" dolph ! here ! Sandys 1 here ! Harvy ! here !
" Parker i here ! Conway ! here ! Lovelace !
" here ! Eppes ! here ! Pigot ! here ! Culpep-
" per ! here ! Gough ! here '"

All James Town had risen to see them
depart. Sir Thomas Dale, Mr. Ralph Ha-
mer, the captains Bruster, Holcroft and
Webb, were assembled; and Pokahontas
was reclining on the arm of her husband.

" What business has Gough on the list,"
said Sir Thomas Dale. " When he arrives
" at AYerocomoco, instead of promoting the
" object of the embassy, he will retard it by
**^ his impertinence. He is as loquacious as
«aKaty-Did."

236

" Rear rank ! take close order !** cried
Capt. West. " Rear rank close to the front !
" Where is prince Nantaquas ? Acquaint his
*' royal highness we are waiting for him."

The prince at length appeared, viewing
his figure in the broken fragment of a look-
glass which he held in his hand, and congra-
tulating himself at the dash of fine tawdry
which distinguished his dress.

Capt. West rode up to Rolfe and his La-
dy and leaning over the neck of his horse,
who was proudly champing his bit, said,
" have you any commands, mad:^m, to Pow-
« hatan." " Yes, Capt. West," said P ka-
hontas, " tell him it will be higiily pleasing
" for me to have my sister near me ; and in-
" form him I have such an admiration of
" civilized life, that I would not return and
" live agahi with him on any account."

As the party set forward through the
woods, a salute of fifteen guns was fired from
the fort at James Town, and answered by
ail the other forts j the English colours were
hoisted at the different flag-staffs.

On coming to a thicket, the dog that ac-
companied the party ran at a little beast that
was squatted on the grass ; but he soon re-
turned howling, as if cruelly beaten, and be-

SS7

gan to roll on the ground. He had encoun-
tered a skunk, and got besprinkled for his
curiosity. And now the atmosphere became
impregnated with such a foetid smell, that
both the foot and horse were glad to accele-
rate their pace.

Emerging from a solemn forest of pines,
they beheld the prospect of open meadows,
over which a large flock of cranes was sailing
in detached squadrons.

At first they rise from the earth heavy and
slow; they labour and beat the air; they
form the line with wide extended wings tip
to tip ; they all rise and fall together as one
bird ; now they mount aloft, gradually wheel-
ing about ; each squadron performs its evo-
lutions encircling the plain, observing its res-
pective orbit ; then contracting their plumes,
alight, v^^hile other squadrons ascend in suc-
cessive circles.

Parson Rock having discharged his piece at
a crane, and only bit him with the shot, the
bird furiously pursued the pious man, attack-
ed him with his wings, and tore his cassock
to tatters. He would probably have killed
the parson had not Nan t aquas run up and
rescued him with his tomahawk. He sunk

^38

his weapon into the crane's head. The
squadrons mounted aloft, and soared round
and round over the heads of the party, chid-
ing them with their chmgor.

On their approaching Werocomoco, Nan-
taquas and his Indians joined in the cry of
arrival, and the whole town ran out to wit-
ness the coming of the English. Powhatan
himself could not restrain his inclination to
behold Capt. West and Throgmorton on
horseback ; and he was carried to the door of
the royal wigwam on his moveable thrcne,
sustained by the shoulders of his stoutest
chiefs.

As the procession entered Werocomoco, a

considerable body of the people were burying

a war-captain. Four Indians were carjying

the corpse on a kind of hurdle to the place

appointed for all living. First walked the

priest who called out Yak, short with a bass

voice, and then invoked Fc, in a tenor

key ; which was sung by a long procession

of men, women and children. Again he

struck up on a sharp treble key the feminine

note He, which in like manner was taken up

and continued by the rest ; then all of them

suddenly struck otf the solemn chorus and

239

sacred invocation, by saying in a low key -
fFah, wnich constituted the divine essential
name Fo He Wah. It seemed as if they
buried their chief in the name of the divine
essence, and directed their plahitive religious
notes to the Author of life and death, in
hopes of a resurrection of the body.

Several old squaws had just finished dig-
ging the grave, when they brought the corpse
to the spot. The deceased chief was placed
on the bier in a sitting posture, with his face
towards the East ; he was dressed in his
tinest apparel, having his trusty hickory bow
with a young panther's skin full of arrows by
his side, that, when he rose again, they might
serve him in that tract of land which pleased
him best before he went to take his ions:
sleep.

And now, when the chief was let down
into his narrow house, the Powaw solemnly
exclaimed " We bury the remains of the de-
" ceased, and cover the grave with bark,
" that neither the dew of heaven, nor rain
" may fall upon it." Upon this the young
widowed squaw of the deceased set up a
dreadful howl, in which she was joined by
a dozen or more women hired to mourn on

540

the occasion. She then rose with flowing
hair, and running to the magazine of mor-
taUty, howled louder and louder. Then,
wringing her hands, she wept bitterly.

The name of this constant widow was
Mingua. She was of superior beauty, and
the word in the Indian dialect signifies the
beautiful. She was not more than sixteen,
and her expressive eye, beautiful bosom,
cherry lips, and fine dark tresses flowing on
her shoulders, rendered her in tears an object
peculiarly interesting.

The arrival of the English procession some-
what defrauded the deceased captain of his
funeral rites ; for the men slunk away one by
one and left only the women to lament.

Powhatan received the ambairsadors sitting
upon his wooden throne, attued in his scarlet
suit, and wearing on his head his copper
crown. Human nature is fundamentally
every where the same. And magnificence
of apparel, whether in the wigwam at Wero-
comoco, or the palace of saint James, aug-
ments consciousness, and compels distance.
At the head and feet of the ferocious monarch
sat a handsome young squaw , in rows be-
hind him sat other Indian girls who had

241

reposed under the same rude canopy of state
with their sovereign ; and it is problematical
whether Solomon in all his glory had more
companions for his softer hours.* Before the
women sat his chief war- captains j more than
forty Indians armed with hickory bows stood
as guards in two files on each side of the
door ; and a hundred more bowmen com-
posed a guard for the passage of the English.

When an Indian brought Powhatan any
thing he dropt on one knee. Before him who
started at the name cf Capt. Smith a whole
nation discovered awe and adoration ; at the
least frown of his brow their greatest spirits
trembled.

Tlie ambassadors having entered the wig-
wam, were placed en benches before Powha-
tan. " Capt. West," said the King, " since I
*' saw you many tall canoes have gone and
" returned. We have been long at war, but
" the hatchet is again buried, and our war-
" riors hear without apprehension the shriek
" of the bird of night."

He then presented Capt. AVest a pipe of
tobacco, and asked after the health cf his
w

*^mith. Furchas. Beverly. Stilh. Keith. &:c. passim.

242

brother, Sir Thomas Dale ; and how his
daughter and son in law lived, loved and lik-
ed. And being told that his brother was
well, and that his daughter was so delighted
with her condition, that she would not, upon
any account, return and live again with him,
he laughed heartily, and seemed much pleas-
ed to hear it.

After that he demanded of Capt. West
his business, and bade him speak out.

" Powhatan," said Capt. West, " Sir Tho-
'^ mas Dale has sent you two pieces of cop-
*' per, five strings of white and blue beads,
" four wooden combs, ten fish-hooks, a pair
" of knives, a white dog, and, when you will
" send for it, he will give you a grind-stone.
" And having heard of the fame of your
" daughter Watoga, he proposes for this
" youth (pointing to young Throgmorton)
" who now stands in your presence, to be-
'^ come her husband ; a youth descended
" from a AVerowance in England ; a gallant
" soldier, an active hunter, rich in guns,
" swords, axes and hoes. He saw your
" daughter when he once passed tlirough
" Werocomoco, and his heart has ever since
'' felt the power of her beauty. You wilt not.

U3

" I am persuaded, object to the union. It
" would be highly pleasing and agreeable to
" Pokahontas, who is very desirous to see her
" sister, and have her near her. And since
*' we are now become one people, and de-
" sign to dwell together in the same country,
^^ I conceive there can be no firmer alliance,
" nor stronj^er assurance of love and friend-
" ship, than such a natural band of intermar-
" naQ:e between the two nations."

During this speech, Powhatan had often
interrupted Capt. West, and betrayed many
signs of uneasiness ; he immediately return-
ed answer with much seriousness and gravity.

" I gladly accept Sir Thomas Dale's salute
" of love and peace, which, while I live, I
" will punctually and exactly keep. I like-
" wise receive his presents as pledges of his
" friendship with no less thankfulness. But
" as to my daughter, 1 sold her, a few days
" ago, to a great Werowance, for two bush-
*' els of Roanoke."

Daring this discourse, Watoga was stand-
ing by the throne of her father, affecting to
decline the eager, passionate and tender gaze
of her English lover.

*' Powhatan," replied Capt. West, ** to so

244

^"^ great a prince as you are, the Roanoke is
" is but a trifle j by returning it, you can re-
" cal your daughter, and gratify Sir Thomas
" Dale. And I pledge you my word that,
" besides strengthening the strict band of
" peace and friendship between us, you shall
*' have three times the worth of the Rcanoke
*' for her, in beads, copper and otlier commo-
'' dities."

** Capt. West," said Powhatan, " you ex-
*^ tort the truth from me. I ingenuously
*' confess that the reason of my refusal, is the
** love I bear my daughter. Although I have
*' man^^ children, yet I delight in none so
** much as her. I could not possibly live
" without often seeing her. And this I could
** not do, if she lived among the English, for
" I am determined, upon no terms, to put
" myself into their hands, or come among
•* them. I, therefore, desire you to urge me
" no further upon the subject, but to return
*■' my brother. Sir Thomas Dale, this answer :
" That I hold it not a brotherly part in him
*' to endeavour to bereave me of my two dar-
" ling children at once : that, for my part, I
" desire no farther assurance of his friendship
" than the promise he has given : that he has

245

" already had from me a pledge, one of my
" daughters, which as long as she Jives, will
" be sufficient j but if she should happen to
" die, he shall have another. And further,
"tell him, that had he no pledge at all, he
" need not fear any injury from me or my
" people. There has been enough of blood
** and war. Too many have been slain al-
" ready on both sides : and, by my occasion,
" there shall never be more. I, who have
" power to perform it, have said it. I am
" now grown old, and would gladly end my
*'' days in peace and quietness -, and although
" I should have just cause of resentment, yet
" my country is large enough, and I can go
" from him. This answer I hope will Svatisfy
" my brother. And now because you are
" weary, and I am sleepy, we will thus end.^^'
Throgmorton and Watoga rose with the-
sun, and met each other in a grove on tjie
water-side.

" Every thing miled abroad ; it seemed the River
" As he stole by, curled up his head to view liiem."

Sitting under a wild honey-suckle, and re-
galed with its odour, Watoga reclined with
fond attachment on the shoulder of the young .
Englishman, and seemed disposed not quite

w 2

246

to indulge, nor quite to repress his eager

kisses.

" Girls must seem modest.
It is their parts."

Throgmorton spared no pains to conciliate
her aft'ections. He hung chains of blue beads
round her neck, adorned her partial garment
with broaches, and for the turkey-cock-spurs
to her mocassins he fastened tinkling bell-
buttons. The days of courtship are, per-
haps, the happiest, whether it be in the mag-
nificent chambers of the European, or the
wild forests of the Indian. Noon came be-
fore they were aware of it. Some buffaloes,
that had sought an adjoining pool, were
standing up to then* middles in the water.*

It were needless to dwell on the arts used
by both parties in order to obtain the con-
sent of Powhatan for their union in wedlock.
Watoga wept, Throgmorton entreated, par-
son Rock exhorted ; but fruitless were their
combined efforts, when the Indian monarch,
being shewn a lock and key, was found to
have his price. He exchanged Watoga for
it. It was put on the door of his wigwam.

• For a description of the buffalo and bis manners, Vide
Waller Kennedy, page 74 and \ 15.

247

and he would lock and unlock it a hundred
times a day.

" Proceed now, parson Rock, to marry
" us," said Throgmorton.

*' Nay, Mr. Throgmorton, before I join
** you together in holy wedlock, I must be
"convinced of the conversion of your bride.
" I am one of those sons of faith, whom the
" church in her maternal benevolence has
" sent into these woods to draw its inhabi-
" tants from their essential errors. It is now
" my duty to change this dark-lanthorn in-
" to a lamp of christian light. I will propose
" to her a few religious questions ; be you the
" interpreter."

The rumour of the marriage had brought
at least three hundred of the principal Indi-
ans of Werocomoco into the wigwam, to
witness the ceremony 5 and their numbers
multiplied so fast, that Powhatan ordered out
his bowmen to prevent the entrance of any
more. In the meantime two stout Indians
entered, bearing a huge loblolly-pot filled
•with meat, upon a pole across their shoulders.
A wooden ladle, as broad and deep as a com-
mon bowl, hung with a hook to the side of
the pot, with which every one might help
himself to as much as he could eat.

us

While Powhatan was sitting on his throne
smoaking his pipe in solemn silence, and his
chiefs seated around him maintaining a pro-
found gravity, the parson proceeded with his
interrogations.

" Is this young woman," said the parson,
" willing to receive and believe the word of
« life."

"What is that the Powaw says?" cried"

Watoga.

" He recommendsto you," said Throgmor-
ton, " chastity in the married state."

" Very well," rejoined Watoga, " that's
" a good speech, and fit for every woman
" alike, unless she be very old."

" Is she wiUing to be baptized," continued
the parson, " and receive the seal of the
" remission of her sins."

" What says he now ?" cried Watoga.

" He urges you," said ThrogmortDn, " to
" use a proper care in domestic life."

" You evil spirit," said Watoga to the
parson, " when was 1 careless or wasteful at
"home."

" What says the dark lanthorn," cried the
parson.

249

" She says," replied Throgmorton, "that
" her bosom beats to be delivered from the
" yoke of satan."

'' It is my desire," said the parson, " to
•' grant unto her that happiness ; and she has
*' only to deliver herself over to me, wretched
" as she is, and I will cleanse her from sin.
" But let me commune seriously with the red
" damsel. Docs she understand and believe
" that needful article the doctrine of the
" Trinity } Interpret for mC' Ask her be-
" lief of the uni-trinity and tri-unity,"

" What is the subject now," asked Wa-
toga smartly, ** of the Powaw's long and
*- crooked like discourse ?"

" Patience my dove," said Throgmorton.
''Listen to me parson Rock. \i\ the ques-
" tions you would put to my bride, you seem
" to have picked out all the crabbed parts of
'^ the old book only to puzzle and stagger
'* her young christian faith ^ otherwise how
*' could you desire me to persuade such a
** sharp-discerning young woman, that one
" was three and three one. Besides, if your
** book has any such question, it belongs only
" to the deep parts of arithmetic ; and in
" that science the Indian conjurers them-

250

" selves are untaught. Parson Rock, the
" bride will take it very kindly, if you will
" shorten your discourse j nothing disturbs
" the Indian women more than long lectures.
*^ Come, join our hands, and pronounce our
" union."

" Before I proceed any further," said the
parson, " I must insist upon her belief of
" that article ; but it shall be the only ques-
" tion I will propose till I put the holy water
" on her face, and read over the marriage
" ceremony. I bid you therefore ask her if
** she believes in the mysterious union."

'^ What savs the Powaw now ,^" said \Va-
toga.

*' He bids me ask you," saidThrogmorton,
" whether you do not conceive marriage to
** be a very notable state j or whether there
" is any thing so bewailable in a woman as
" her virginity ?"

*' Did the Powaw," said Watoga smiling,
" borrow that speech from his beloved mar-
" riage book ?"

" The dark-lanthorn looks cheerful," said
the parson. " Does she believe in the mys-
" terious union ?"

" She has swallowed your doctrine, par-
" son," said Throgmorton. " And if you

251

" were to bring forward all the other articles
*' of your old book, she would understand
** and believe them, for she is a very sensible

"gill."

" Bring hither then a bowl of water," said
the parson. " I will initiate my new convert."

" What is the Powavv going to do with that
" water," said Watoga.

" Merely to sprinkle a little on your face,"
said Throgmorton, " as a sure pledge of the
*' lasting friendship between you and the
♦' English."

^* He shall not," said Watoga.

" Let him, my dove," cried Throgmorton.
** And (whispering) it will entitleyou to every '
" thing you like best, whether broaches, rings
" or nose-jewels."

" Will it entitle me to you," said Watoga
with a tender smile.

" Yes, sweet," said Throgmorton.

" Then let the beloved man," said Watoga,
" put the beloved water on my face."

Watoga was not only passive while Air.
Rock threw the water on her sparkling fea-
tures, but displayed great constancy under
the long marriage ceremony. Mr. Throg-
morton then took her by the hand, and led

2521

her to the bridal bed prepared in a neighbour-
ing wigwam i bowing profoundly to Powhatan
who sat on his wooden throne, while Watoga
covered her virgin blushes with her hand, as
she was led away with timid steps by her
burning lover.

The young Indian warriors now struck up
a song to the music of a wet deer skin tied
over the mouth of a large clay-pot j raising
their voices, and singing an epithalamium of
To To Yo.

Parson Rock, having helped himself to
some boiled meat out of the loblolly-pct, as-
sumed a cheerful smile. He took out his
church-book, and entered in it the name of
WATOGA in capital letters, to grace and
adorn the fust page cf his converts.

And now the English guests were about to
break up, when prince Nantaquas entered
the wigwam, leading by the hand the beau-
tiful Mingua, smiling loves and graces.

Nantaquas still wore his English shirt over
his Indian dress, notwithstanding it was be-
come very foul and black ^ and on his head
was the old left-off gold laced hat which Capt.
Smith had presented him. The English sol-
diers had taught him to cock it over his left

§53

eye, and his visage, naturally bold, was now
imposing.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amlci ?

" Powaw," said Nantaquas to the Parson,
« Otoolpha Eho Achumbaras Saookchaa."

" What says the Prince ?" cried Parson
Rock.

" He says," cried Mr. Russel, " that he
** wants you to many him to the young wo-
'* man."

" Is not ^his the young woman," said
Capt. West to Nantaquas, " who mourned
" so pathetically her deceased husband, when
*' we entered your town ?"

Mingua held down her head, and shot a,
reproachful look at the captain through her
long dark eye lashes.

Nantaquas laughed.

" Are you not the young mourning wid-
ow," said the captain. *' I swear you are."

" I am. Big Knife," said Mingua. " When
^^ I mourned, I did not so much bewail my
*^ husband's death, as my own hateful state
^' of widowhood."

"Are you both willing to be baptised,"
said parson Rock.

" I am not," said Nantaquas. " Pawhunt

" whom you baptized a month ago has never
" had any luck in hunting since, as his com-
" panions have had. He has never been able
" since to kill a single deer/* »• ux

*' Then I virill not join you together in wed-
lock," cried parson Rock.

" No matter," said Nantaquas, with frozen
indifference. " Come Mingua. Let us go
** to our wigwam. AVe can do without the
" Powaw."

The following day the English got ready to
return to the fort ; the party being rendered
larger and more cheerful by the accession of
Watoga and Mingua, besides several other
Indian damsels who had linked themselves
with affectionate kindness to their European
invaders. For Powhatan was not tenacious
of his female subjects. On the contrary, it
was his custom to harrangue them and say,
" young girls, be not hard-hearted and un-
" grateful to the white warriors."

And now being about to return, Powhatan
desired Capt. West to put his brother Dale in
mind to send him several toys and tools ^ and,
lest he should forget, he made him write it
down in a table-book that he had. How the
Indian monarch got the book, nobody knew.

25d

nor would he tell. It was a very fair one
and captain West affected a great desire to
have it. But Powhatan told him " he could
" not part with it j it did him so much good
" in showing it to strangers." After which,
having furnished the party with provisions, he
dismissed them ; giving each a buckskin ex-
tremely well dressed,* and sending two more
for Rolfe and Pokahontas.

In the year l6l6, Sir Thomas Dale formed
the resolution of returning to England, and
in the same ship Mr. Rolfe prepared to em-
bark with his Indian lady. She had present-
ed him.with a son, whom they had christened
Thomas.

It was not without emotion that Pokahon-
tas contemplated her inpending embarkation.
The sails of the vessel were loose, the cries of
the seamen' were heard getting up the an-
olior, and Rolfe was coming on shore in the
last boat for his bride. It was a torrid after-
noon in the month of August. Pokahontas,
attired for her departure, was sitting before
the door of her dweUing, giving a bosom of

• For the Indian method of dressing skins, vide Walter
Kennedy, page 116

256

youthful eituberance to her pledge of chasti»
affection. Her feelings were raised to an ele-
vation which the inhabitants of the pale cli-
maties of the north can but imperfectly con-
ceive. The willow was waving slowly its
branches to the partial breeze , the swallows
were wheeling their flight round here and
there a lonely hillock, the humming bird wa§
fluttering from flower to flower, while more
remote, from the mid- wood oak, the locust
echoed through the air.

Of all animated beings the humming bird
is the most elegant in its form, and the most
brilliant in its colours. The emerald, the
ruby, the topaz, sparkle in its plumage, which
is never soiled by the dust of the ground. It
scarcely exceeds the bulk of the great gad-
fly. Its bill is a fine needle, its tongue a de-
licate thread, and its little black eyes resem-
ble two brilliant points. Its flight is constant,
and so rapid is the quiver of its pinions, that
when the bird halts in the air, it seems at
once deprived of motion and of life. Thus it
rests a few seconds beside a flower, and again
shoots to another like a gleam. It visits
them all, thrusting its little tongue into their
bosom, and caressing them with its wings. It

257

never settles, but never quite abandons them.
Its playful inconstancy multiplies its inno-
cent pleasures ; for the dalliance of this little
lover of flowers never spoils their beauty.

Nothing can equal the vivacity of these
little creatures, but their courage, or rather
audacity ; they furiously pursue birds tvv^enty
times larger than themselves, fix in the plu-
mage, and as they are hurried along strike
keenly with the bill, till they vent their fee-
ble rage ; sometimes they even fight obsti-
nately with each other. They are all impa*
tience ; if, upon alighting in a flower they
find it faded, they will pluck the petals with
a precipitation that marks their displeasure.
Their voice is only a feeble cry, which is fre-
quent and reiterated. They are heard in
the woods at the dawn of the morning,
and, as soon as the sun begins to gild the
summits of the trees, they take wing and
disperse in the fields. They are solitary ;
and indeed, fluttering irregular in the breeze,
they could hardly associate. But the power
oflove surmounts the elements, and, with its
golden chains, it binds all animated beings^
Tlie humming-birds are seen to pair in the

breeding season -, their nest corresponds
x2

258

with the delicacy of their bodies ; it is form-
ed with the soft cotton or silky down ga-
thered from flowers, and has the consist-
ence and texture of a thick smooth skin.
The female performs the work, and the
male collects the materials. She applies
herself with ardour J selects, one by one, the
fibres proper to form the texture of this kind-
ly cradle for her progeny , she smooths the
margin with her breast, the inside with her
tail J she covers the outside with bits of bark of
the gum-tree, which shelter it from the wea-
ther, and give solidity to the fabric : the whole
is attached to two leaves, or a single sprig of
the orange and citron, or sometimes to a
straw hanging from the roof of an hut. The
nest is not larger than half of an apricot;
and it is also shaped Hke a half cup. It con-
tains two eggs, which are entirely white,
and not exceeding the bulk of a pea.*

Nantaquas had arrived to bid his sister
farewell. The young red warrior covered
his face with his hands, as the boat receded
from the shore with Rolfe and his wife : Na-

* It often hangs its nest on a single briar of a rose trre ; it
has a small hole at top to go in and out at, — Walter Kenae-
dy, 110.

259

masket, Chillibacfc, and other young war-
captains bewailed aloud the departure of the
princess : the brimful eyes of Pokahontas be-
spoke her feelings j a tear bedewed the babe
that slept on her bosom.

It was on the twelfth of October, I6l6,
that Mr. Rolfe arrived at Plymouth with
his Indian wife and infant son. He imme-
diately poceeded with her to London, where
he was introduced at court to James I. who,,
tenacious of the kingly prerogative, was infla-
med with indignation that one of his subjects
should aspire to an alliance with royal blood.
The haughty monarch would not suffer Rolfe
to be admitted to his presence ; and when
he received Pokahontas, his looks rebuked
her for descending from the dignity of a king's
daughter to marry a man without title from
indefeasible hereditary right. The ladies of
the court were howeved' charmed with the
unaffected sweetness of her manners ; and
spared no caresses or presents to sooth her to ,
complacency. '

At length Capt. Smith advanced from the
croud to salute Pokahontas, at whose unex-
pected appearance, without uttering a word^
she turned about and obscured her face»

260

Ilia solofixos oculos avtrsa tcnebat.

For some minutes she maintained a dis-
dainful silence, but, at last, the woman burst-
ing forth, she began to upbraid. She re-
minded him of the many services she had
done him, and of the strict promise of friend-
ship between him and her father.

" You," said she, "promised him that
" what was yours should be his -, and that
" you and he would be all one. Being a
" stranger in our country, you called Powha-
" tan Father ; and I, for the same reason,
" will now call you so."

This menace threw Smith into a strange
predicament. He knew thejealous humour
of the court would not allow Pokahontas to
call him by that name, as she was the daugh-
ter of a king. He, therefore, in soothing
terms, desired her not to call him father.

But Pokahontas with a firm and steady
countenance, said: " You were not afraid
" to come into my father's country, and
" strike a fear into every body but myself j
"and are you here afraid to let me call you
" Father ? I tell you then, I will call you fa-
" ther, and you shall call me child ; and so I
" will forever be of your kindred and country.

«61

" They always told us you were dead, and I
" knew no otherwise till I came to Plymouth.
^^ But Powhatan commanded Uttamaceomac
"to seek you out, and know the truths be-
" cause your countrymen are much addicted
" to falsehood."

The queen of England was absent from
court ; before her arrival in London captain
Smith drew up a representation of the merits
and desert ofPokahontas. He was particu-
larly iionored and caressed by prince Charles,
and the prince gained him admission to the
queen, who received his memorial with ele-
gant condescension. In this he writes from
his own heart, and speaks home to every
bosom. In this eloquent, animated and for-
cible epistle, he has raised a monument to
his own gratitude, and embalmed in the feel-
ings of humanity the tenderness of his charm-
ing Indian.

Capt. Smith's petition to her majesty, in be-
half of Pokahontas, daughter to the Indian
emperor Powhatan.
** To the most high and virtuous princess,
" queen Anne of Great Britain.
** Most admir'd madam,
" THE love I bear my God, my king, and

26^

" country, hath so often emboldened m6 in
" the worst of extreme dangers, that now
** honesty doth constrain me to presume thus
" far beyond myself, to present your majesty
** this short discourse. If ingratitude be a
" deadly poison to all honest virtues, I must
" be guilty of that crime, if I should omit any
" means to be thankful.
" So it was,
" That about ten years ago, being in Vir-
" ginia, and taken prisoner by the power of
" Powhatan, their chief king, I received from
" this great savage exceeding great courtesy,
" especially from his son Nantaquas y the
" manhest,comeliest, boldest spirit I ever saw
" in an Indian ; and his sister Pokahontas, the
" king's most dear and well beloved daughter,
** being but a girl of fifteen years of age,
" whose compassionate pitiful heart of my
" desperate state gave me much cause to res-
" pect her. I being the first Christian this
" proud king and his grim attendants ever
" saw, and thus enthralled in their barbarous
" power ; I cannot say I felt the least occa^
" sion of want, that was in the power of
** those my mortal foes to prevent, notwith-
" standing all their threats. After some

263

** weeks fatting amongst those savage court-
*.* iers, at the minute of my execution she
** hazarded the beating out of her own brains
" to save mine, and Nantaquas so prevailed
" with her father, that I was safely conducted
" to James Town, where I found about eight
*' and thirty miserable, poor and sick crea-
" tures to keep possession of all those large
** territories of Virginia. Such was the weak-
** ness of this poor commonwealth, as had
** not the Indians fed us, we directly had
" starved.

«* And this relief, most gracious Queen,

*' was commonly brought to us by the lady

" Pokahontas, notwithstanding all these pas-

" sages, when inconstant fortune turned our

" peace to war, this tender virgin would still

" not spare to dare to risit us ; and by her

*' our jars teve been oft appeased, and our

"wants still supplied » Were it the policy

" of her father thus to employ her, or the or-

*' dinance of God thus to make her his instru-

" ment, or her extraordinary affection to our

" nation, I know not : But of this I am sure,

" when her father, with the utmost of his po-

" I'icy and power, sought to surprize me, hav-

" ing but eighteen with me, the dark night

264

** could not affright her from coming throiugli
" the irksome woods, and with watered eyes,
" give me intelligince, with her best advice to
" escape his fury ; which had he known, he had
** surely slain her.

" James Town, with her wild train, she as
" freely frequented as her father's habitation;
** and during the time of two or three years,
" «he, next under God, was still the instru-
" ment to preserve this colony from death,
*' famine, and utter confusion, which, if in
" those times, had once been dissolved, Vir-
"ginia might have Iain as it was at our arri-
" val, till this day. Since then, this business
*' having been turned and varied by many
*' accidents from what I left it, it is most
" certain, after a long and troublesome war,
" since my departure, betwixt her father
** and our colony, she herself was taken
" prisoner, the colony by that means was re-
*' lieved, peace concluded, and at last, reject-
** ing her barbarous condition, she was mar^
*' ried to an English gentleman, with whom
*' at this present she is in England. The first
" Christian ever of that nation ; the first Vir-
*' ginian ever spake English, or had a child in
" marriage by an Englishman. A matter
** surely, if my meaning be truly considered

=** well understood, worthy a prince's inform-
^'ation.

" Thus, most gracious lady, I have rela-
** ted to your majesty what at your* best lei-
** sure our approved histories will recount to
" you at large, as done in the time of your
*' majesty's life : and, however this might be
** presented you from a worthier pen, it can-
<* not from a more honest heart.

" As yet I never begged any thing of the
** state ; and it is my want of ability, and her
" exceeding desert ; your birth, means, and
^* authority ; her birth, virtue, want, and sim-
** plicity, doth make me thus bold, humbly
"** to beseech your majesty to take this know-
*' ledge of her, though it be from one so un-
*' worthy to be the reporter as myself: her
" husband's estate not being able to make
" her fit to attend your majesty.

" The most and least I can do, is to toll
" you this, and the rather because of her be-
*' ing so great a spirit, however her stature.
" If she should not be well received, seeing
"'^ this kingdom may rightly have a kingdom
*' by her means -, her present love to us and
** Christianity, might turn to such scorn and
•*^ fury, as to divert all this good to the worst

Y

^66

*' of evil : where finding that so great a queen
'* should do her more honour than she can
" imagine, for having been kind to her sub-
** jects and servants, 'twould so ravish her
" with content, as to endear her dearest
** blood to effect what your majesty and all
" the king's honest subjects most earnestly
*' desire. And so I humbly kiss your graci-
'' ous hands.

« JOHN SMITH.
"June 11, 1616."

There is an idle story related of Uttamac-
comac, that he was sent to England by
Powhatan in order to take the number of the
people, and that he cut a notch on a long
stick for every person he saw ; but soon tired
of such endless work, he threw the stick a-
way.

The fact is, that he was sent by Powhatan
not to number the people, but to take an ac-
count of Lheir corn and trees ; it being the
suspicion of that barbarian that the English
came into his country to get a supply of
tliese 3 a suspicion strengthened and confum-
ed by their sending home in their ships large
quantities of cedar, clapboard and wainscot,
and by their continual want and eagerness af-

267

tercorn. But Uttamaccomac landing at Ply-
mouth, and travelling through the fertile,
beautiful and unparallelled country between
that place and London, was soon undeceived ;
and saw great cause to admire the English
plenty.

Captain Smith's letter to the queen produc-
ed the desired effect. Her majesty expressed
an earnest desire to see Pokahontas, and she
was presented to the queen with great state
and pomp by the lady Delaware ; accompa-
nied by the Lord her husband, and the reve-
rend Father in God, the lord bishop of Lon-
don. . On this occasion Pokahontas carried
herself like the daughter of a king, and made
good the brightest part of the character which
captain Smith had given of her.*

■* Capt. Smith when he returned to England from Vii-
ginia, was employed by the merchants to undertake another
voyage to North America. In one of his boats with eight
men, he ranged the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod ; nam-
ing the eastern promontory of Massachusetl's Bay Tragabig-
zanda, in memory of his fair Tartar ; and three islands which
lie oif tiie cape, tiie Turks' Heads, to commemorate bis vic-
tory over tiie three champions. Anotiier cluster of isles he
called Smith's Isles. The first, Charles in filial respect to his
motiier, changed to Cape Anne, which name it has ever since
retained; the Turks' Heads are obsolete ; and Smith's Isles
are now called the Isles of Shoals.

On his return he laid a map of the coast before Prince
Ciiarle5, and painted the beauty and excellence of the coun-
try ill such glowing colours, that the young prince, in the

268

The smp^e of the coal-fires of London be-
ing offensive to Pukahontas, Rolfe removed
her to Brentford, where she breathed a less
noxious atmosphere. Here she was often vi-
sited by ladies of distinguished rank from the
metropolis ; and carriages bearing coronets
were often drawn up before her door. Good-
breeding is the offspring of good sense ; it is a
mode, not a substance ; and Pokahontas,
whose penetration was intuition, soon learnt
to receive her visitants with appropriate vari-
ations of deference.

■warmth of admiration, declared, that it should be called New-
England, a name which effaced that of Virginia,

It was on his return from this voyage that he met Pokahontas
in London ; but he had scarce had his interview with her when
he embarked in a ship on another expedition to New-Eng-
land ; his spirit being still ardent in the pursuit of an object,
and firm to its purpose. Near the western islands he fell in
with two Frencli pirates. His men were thrown into a panic
and would have struck ; but he threatened to blow up the
ship if they would not fight ; and by firing a few running shot,
he escaped. A few days after he was captured by four French
men of war, and carried into Rochelle. A storm arising,
which drove all the people below, he took the boat, with an
half pike for an oar, butthecurrent drifting him out to sea, he
■was near perishing. By the turn of the tide, he got to Ro-
chelle, where he was cherished at a convent by the good lady
Chanoyesand her nuns. The ship which he liad left was
driven on shore in the night, and all her crew perished.

In 1627 he published his General History of Virginia, in a
folio volume; and in 1629 appeared his True Travels and Ad-
ventures. Of the latter days of this extraordinary man, I know
little. We are informed by Josselyn that he died in London,
1 63 1 , in the fifty second year of his age. Peace to his manes t
Immortal honour to his name [.

269

But the hour was hasting when Pokahon-
tas was to descend to that place where the
weary are at rest, and the wicked cease
from troubhngi that bosom which had so of-
ten undergone perturbation for the sufferings
of another, was soon to be stilled ; that eye
which had so often overflowed with humani-
ty, was soon to be closed ; that hand which
had been raised in supplication to avert the
death of the prisoner, was soon to moulder
in the grave !

Not only Pokahontas, but Rolfe sighed in
secret for the romantic scenery, tlie deep re-
tirement of the still virgin soil of the western
continent. In Virginia he was entitled by
the right of his bride to lands of immeasura-
ble extent ; and he was of opinion that, the
return of Pokahontas, by renderhig services
to the colonists, would give permanence to
the settlement, and increase the value of his
possessions. The estates which had descend-
ed to Pokahontas spread over a vast tract of
country; they extended to the south nearly
as high as the falls of the great rivers, over
the Potomac, and even to the Patuxent.

But the inscrutable wisdom of providence
had decreed that Pokahontas was never more

270

to return to her native soil. Rolfe had gone
with her to Gravesend for the purpose of
embarking in a convenient ship, hut fate in-
terposed between the design and execution,
and at Gravesend Pokahontas paid the last
tribute due to Nature.

A short time before Pokahontas breathed
her last, she stretched out her hand to Rolfe,
and said in a faultering voice, " When I con-
" sider lam going to leave you, my heart strug-
*' gles to revive, and nature makes me wish I
" could cross with you the waters, and that
" the setting sun should shed its rays upon
"my tomb in the forests that gave me birth.
*' Then would not only you bend at evening
" over my grave, but my brother Nantaquas
" would pluck from it the grass, and heap up
" the fallen earth."

Though the lips of Rolfe were silent, na-
ture was not. Tears flowed from his_
eyes.

" Here," resumed Pokahontas, " I shall
" be buried in the land of strangers, and
" though marble may rise over me, yet that
" is more the attribute of riches than virtue.
** It will m,elt no breast to sympathy.
*' Whereas, were I to be interred in my na-
" tive iitnd, the grief of the traveller would be

V7t

*' moved at the little hillock that covered my
" remains ; it would ascend with the venera-
** oaks of the lofty forest, extend with the
" surrounding hills, and ally itself closely with
" all the effects of nature ; the dawn of the
** morning, the murmuring of the moss that
*' floats in streamers from the trees, the set-
*^ ting of the sun, and the darkness of the
" night. But the will of God be done. The
" religion of the universal Saviour of man-
" kind has taught me resignation to the just
** decrees of heaven. 1 know I only precede
** you. The Almighty will unite us in a life
*^ everlasting."

She felt upon her the cold hand of death.
She could utter no more. But raising her
placid eyes, she looked an angel going to take
flight to the celestial regions, and breathed
out her spirit in the arms of her husband.

Mr. Rolfe returned to Virginia with his
young son Thomas Rolfe, who afterwards
became a person of fortune and distinction in
that country. He left behind him an only
daughter, who was married to Colonel Ro-
bert Boiling, by whom she left an only son.
Major John Boiling, and five daughters, who
"were married to Colonel Richard Randolph^,

272

Colonel John Fleming, Dr. William Gay,
Mr. Thomas Eldridge, and Mr. James Mur-
ray. Hence from Pokahontas are sprung
some of the most respectable families in Vir-
ginia, who justly boast of their descent from
her whose virtues eclipse whatever is record-
ed of any heroine in the rude legends of anti-
quity, or the sentimental fictions of refme-
ment.*

But alas ! how changed is now the scene
on the parent river of the Indian princess !
No longer does the moon shed her silver
light over the wigw^ams of the Indians sunk
in profound repose. No more is the cr)' of
arrival uttered by the young red warrior ap-
proaching the hamlet. No longer are the
ebon tresses of the Indian nymph fanned by
the evening gale, as she reclines her head

* Doctor Barton told me last winter, that one of hh feilow-
students at Edinburgh was Mr. John Robertson, nephew to
the historian, and that he had informed him that at a iiouse
near Petersburgh, he had often seen a portrait of tiie lady Pok-
ahontas, whicii had been handed down in the family for a
considerable time, and was religiously esteemed by them as a
striking resemblance of the Princess. Doctor Barton also ob-
served to me that Thomas Randolph (son-in-law to Thomas
Jefferson, President of the United States) was descended from
Pokahontas; and that iiis first cou-in is called Powhatan Ran-
dolph, after the great king her father. It deserves mention
that the Philosophical Society of Philadelpliia are in possession
of a manuscript genealogy of Pokahontas.

273

upon the bosom, and listens to the vows ol
her roving lover. The race [of Indians has
been destroyed by the inroads of the whites !
Surveyors vi^ith long chains have measured
the wilderness, and lawyers contended for the
right of possesion. Beneath those forests
once the favoured seat of freedom, the swar-
thy slave groans under the scourges of an
imperious task-master ; and the echoes mul-
tiply the strokes of the cleaving axe as he fells
the proud tree of the melancholy waste. All
alas ! is changed. The cry of the hawk only
is heard where the mock bird poured his
melody ; and no vestige is left behind of a
powerful nation, who once unconscious of the
existence of another people, dreamt not of
invasions from foreign enemies, or inroads
from colonists, but beheved their strength ixi-
vincible, and their race eternal !

THE END.

ERRATA.

Page 153, for Sir Thomas Dale, read Capt.
Newport. Page 154, for knights read com-
manders. Page 204, for adapted read adopt-
ed. Page 111, for oration read speech.
Page 97j for particularly read partially. The
courteous reader will overlook the anachro-
nism about the seasons. Vebum sapienli.
Other verbal errors may be corrected by the
context.

A

MEMOIR

OF THE

AUTHOR.

THE opinion formed of a writer is gene-
rally transferred by association from his pro-
fession to his life, and he is considered as hav-
ing all his days d ne nothing but kept the
press and paper-mill in motion. I cannot lay
claim to this honour. My life has been passed
chiefly in voyages and travels.

It was never my fortuue to repose under
the shade of Academic bowers. This, how-
ever, was not owing either to the angusta res
domi, or local circumstances. I was reared
in the lap of opulence, and Salisbury, my na-
tive pidce, boasts a grammar school, that
initiated Addison in the elegancies of litera-
ture.

I had read, or rather lisj)ed, four books
that determined my future life ; namely,
Robert Drury, the unfortunate Englishmen,
Pierre Vaud, and Capt. Richard Falconer.
Nothing now would satisfy me but going to
sea, and a ship was the idol of my mind.

276

My first voyage was in an Indiaman called
the Essex, Capt. Strover. We went to St.
Helena, Batavia and China. It was in the
year 17873 and I was literally a sea-boy upon
the high and giddy mast, being little more
than eleven years old.

I returned to England charmed vi^ith a sea
life. The voyage seemed nothing, and before
I had been ashore six months, I again, if I
may so express myself, shoved off my boat.

I embarked (1790) in the Worcester, Capt.
Hall. We touched at Hinzuan,* and pro-
ceeded to Bombay. In the Essex, the chief
mate was Ebenezer Roebuck, a man conspi-
cuous for his courage, consummate seaman-
ship and rigid discipline.f The chief officer
of the Worcester was Owen Ellis, a disciple
of Roebuck, full of fire, fancy and mischief.
Our captain and he did not agree. Hall was
timorous ; Ellis rash. Hall was uncommonly
corpulent ; remarkable for the circumference
of his belly, and Ellis swore the ship could
never be in trim, as, by being in the cabin^
he brought her down by the stern.

* See a inagical description of this fairy island by Sir Wil-
liam Jones.

t Mr. Koebuck has left the company's seivice : he isnow
constructing docks iu India.

OlT the high laod of Chaul the Worcestef
tvas attacked by Angria's Pirates. Our
captain was scared almost to death.

' Obstupuit, steteruntque comoe, et vox faucibus Iioesit !

ElHs saved the ship. He jumped down on-
the gun deck, and cast loose a midship-gun.
" A match here !" said he, while he was
pointing the gun with a handspike. The
match was brought by the ship's cook
from the galley-fire; a man named John
Thornton had primed the gun, the chief
mate gave it to the Moors in style, and dis-
persed their musquito fleet. A loud laugh
now succeeded the halloing, bawling, cursing
and swearing, that before shook the good
ship Worcester from stem to stern. For no
sooner did the Moor taste our pills than he
put his helm up, wore right round upon his
heel, and went away before the wind ; this
was the ship ^ the ketch, brig and gallivat*-
did the same.

We took out a hundred company's recruits
to Bombay. Among these was a German
(Oberstien) of dissipated fortune, but elegant
education. Now did my mind first catch a
ray of intellectual light : now was it ordained
I should not be all my life illiterate. I began
z

^18

to learn French under Oberstien between the'
tropics ; in my watch upon deck my station
was in the main top, to haul down the top
gallant studding sail at the approach of a
squall, or to go up and hand the royal. For
our top gallant masts were jQdded, and our
joyal yards rigged across. When the boat-
swain's mate piped starbowlines, I walked
up the main rigging into the top. I always
put Le Sage in my pocket -, and in the main
top of an East Indiaman, under a cloudless
tropical sky, when the breeze was so steady
that for days we had no occasion to start
either tack or sheet, I began to cultivate the
language of the court of Lewis the fourteenth.
I was several months on shore at Bombay.
I lodged at the country tavern. It was kept
iby Mr. Loudwick, and shaded with cocoa
nut and bananna trees. My landlord had a
complete set of European magazines ; I ra-
ther devoured than read them ; and it is to
the'perusal cf these volumes that I ascribe that
love of the belles lettres which has always
made me loath the mathematicks and other
crabbed sciences. For who ever, after hav-
ing lived in a beautiful country, where all
Vii^s fruit and flowers and fragrance, could

279

seek all abode in a rugged, bleak and dreary
region.

Neitiier Mr. Loudwick nor Mrs. Loud-
wick could talk English. I now thanked
my stars that I had learnt French in the main-
top of the Worcester, and conversed with my
host and hostess in their own idiom.

From Bombay we went twice down the
Malabar coast, anchoring at every port. I
landed at Cochin where Camoens wrote his
Lusiad,* and at Anjengo, where Eliza was
bornf ; and I was engaged in the reduction
of Cannanore under General Abercrombie.
In our passage home I landed at the Cape
of Good Hope.

When I returned to England, I found my
brother had embarked as a cadet for Ma-
drass. He was a considerable time Ensign
to a batallion of native infantry at Kistna-
gherry, a hill fort, in the Baramhal country.
At the taking of Pondicherry he was promo-
ted to the rank of lieutenant ; he died a cap-
tain at Madrass. His account of the Sepoy
soldiers in India is full, elegant, accurate : it
was first communicated by him in a letter

* See Mickle's Lusiad.

t See Sterne's Letters to Eliza, and Raynal's Apostroplte
to Anjengo.

2S0

from India to the Editor of the European
Magazine, and adopted in the article Sepoy
by the compilers of the Encyclopasdia Bri-
tannica.

Sic vos non vobis.

On my return to Salisbury from my second
voyage, the iove of literature that had been
]%hted up in my mind, directed my atten-
tion to our family library. We had a room
full of books, but I was made a student by
the perusal of a small pamphlet ; Spence's
Life of Magliabechi and Hill. The life of
Hill engaged me with superior interest, and
set me about learning latin. My pleasure
in reading an English book was diminished
by not knowing the sources of its classical
allusions, and of the propriety or efficacy of
their application I could be no judge. By
the happiest fortune in the world I got
Mant's Phoedrus with a parsing index, which
strewed flowers in my road, and obtained
me the rewards of study without undergoing
its toils.

Jn the beginning of 1793 I was sent into
the navy. In the Active frigate, Capt. Na-
gle, I went to the Orkneys, Cadiz, and into
the Elbe. Being turned over with the ship's

company to the Artois, (her former com-
mander lord Charles Fitzgerald was given
the command of the Brunswick, seventy-four)
I belonged a year and a half to a flying
squadron of frigates ; namely, the Pomone,
Sir John Borlase Warren, the Arethusa, Sir
Edward Pellew, and the Diamond, Sir Sid^
ney Smith. Our cruizing ground was the
coast of France, and our port of rendezvous
was Falmouth.

The Artois was the fastest sailing frigate
of the squadron. She could sail round the
others. No ship could touch her, whether
going large, or close hauled. We were al-
ways the first up with the chase ; and on
the twenty-first of October, 1794, after an
action close, vigorous and persevering, the
Revolutionnaire French frigate hauled down
her colours to the Artois. It is true the
Diamond at that juncture had come up, and
that Sir Sidney had placed her in a position
to rake the Frenchman -, but had Capt. Na~
gle been alone, her resistance could have
been of no avail, as she had long slackened
her fire before she struck.* During the con-
flict the other ships of the squadron were hull

* See Naval History of the last war.

282

down astern ; the Arethusa was the stern-
most ship 'j and Sir Edward Pellew, the
whole time he beheld us blazing away at
each other, was heard to exclaim, " God bless
" Nagle and the Artois." On our quarter
deck fell Lieutenant Craigie of the maiines,*
and three seamen. Captain Nagle was
knighted by his majesty for the action.

In 1798 I embarked in a small brig, at
Bristo', for the United States. 1 had before
made some progress in Greek, and begun
the study of the language of harmony, with
the Father of Poetry, and the Bible of the
Ancients. In latin I had looked into every
writer of the Julian and Augustan ages ; the
study of French had always been to me like
cracking of nuts j and in my vernacular idiom
I had neglected no writer from Bunyan to
Bolingbroke. Lowth put me au fait of all
the critical niceties of grammar ; and when
I read it was always with an eye to new
combinations of diction.

I translated at New-York Buonaparte's
Campaign in Italy, a considerable octavo,
and proceeded to the south. I now expe-

* A monument has been erected at Plymouth in meiiiory
of Mr. Craigie.

nenced the advantage of having educated
myself. By imparting what I knew of En-
glish, French and Latin to others, I was ena-
bled to gratify my disposition to travel, and
to subsist comfortably. I visited South Ca-
rolina, Georgia, Maryland and Virginia.

I, however, have no further desire to traveF.
It is true I should like much to cross again
the Atlantic, but then that would be to go
home. I am only a sojourner in America.
When the cold turf presses against my breast,
I hope it will be one dug out of the vallies
of my native land.*

In 180^ I returned to England. I land-
ed from the ship within twelve miles of my
mother's house. It commanded a view of
the English channel, and the tall English
fleet. I did not stay long in Hampshire. I
proceeded to London, where my time was
divided between pleasure and literature. I
published a large volume of my own peregri-

* I have beea in the four quarters of the globe, yet never
saw I a spot that pleased me like my own httle England.
Oh ! it is a nice Httle island ! a tight lil'ie island ! Its cities
are not disgraced by dirty Editors of Papers — apostates—
♦' wicked sarpents ;" — Blackguards, as destitute of any real
politics as they are of rehgion, calling themselves, risum te-
neatis amici, Republicans and Federalists ! One daubing
Jefferson with a plaistercr's trowel, the other pelting him with
human exa'Jment! Qui capU ills faciU Let the galled jade

284

nations. I wrote an American Tale called
Walter Kennedy, a lilb of Chatterton, and a
novel entitled The Wooden Walls Well
Manned, or a Picture of a British Frigate.

In the winter of 1804 I returned to Ame-
rica. I embarked at Liverpool lor New-
York. I came in the steerage j it being a
rule with me never to throw my money into
old Davy's Locker.

Our passage, however, in the Cotton
Planter was a rough one. I never witnessed
severer gales. It was necessary to keep the
broad axe sharp, when the ship was lying to,
in case she should go on her beam ends ;
that we might cut away her weather rigging
or the masts, in order to enable her to get
upon her legs again.

And now to the holy keeping of that Great
Being, whose protecting arm extends over
land and sea, I commend myself and my-
leaders.

FINIS.

First Settlers of Virginia. Davis,
180^

Received: The book was bound in
full speckled tan sheep, plain end-
papers and red and white cloth end**
bands. The front and baok boards
had beenreattached to the text by-
gluing on a piece of leather. The
cover leather was worn away and the
the front board was detatched. The
leather had red rot.

Treatment: The text block was rein-
forced with stab joint endpapers. Ad-
hesive used at the spine was paste
and a 50/5O mix of Jade ^03 and methyl
cellulose,

1983 0. x°,-C.